The History of Won

Dictionary

The History of Won-Buddhism (Wonbulgyo Kyosa)

Part 3. Fruition of the Sacred Work

Chapter 1. Continuing the Sacred Work of Sot`aesan

3. Total Number of Believers in the First Term

The total number of believers in the first term since the founding of the Order reached 322,440, among which 32,244 were believers with assigned posts, and 290,196 were lay believers. There were over 260 Jeonmu-Chulshin. Forty temples were built respectively in Iksan, Iri, Namseon, Sugye, Samrye, Yeongsan, Sinheung, Daema, Doyang, Kwangju, Bongdong, Wangsheon, Seoul, Kaeseong, Chuncheon, Maryeong, Jeonju, Jwapo, Kwancheon, Junggil, Imsil, Jangsu, Dangri, Kyeongnam, Choryang, Yong-am, Jinyeong, Dadae, Geumsan, Yongsin, Sintae-in, Hwahae, Jeongeup, Seungbu, Namwon, Wunbong, Hogok, Geumpyeong, Osu, and Kunsan. Ten branch temples were established in Hamyeol, Deokyrong, Sanseo, Mokdong, Inweol, Changpyeong, Sunchang, Mokpo, Masan, and Bu-an. Although not listed above, the fact that Mokdangang in Manchuria was a site for a temple sought by Jang Byeokjo, for which Won Buddhist Minister Pak Daewan was dispatched, only to be forced to withdraw due to the Japanese oppression, wasthe second instance of overseas propagation activity.
As for the institutions operated by the Order, the three educational institutions included Won-kwang university, Won-kwang Middle and High Schools, and Won-kwang Academy of Doyang. The seven charity institutions included Bohwawon in Seoul, Bohwawon in Iksan, nursing homes in Sinryong and Jeonju, and three other institutions. The seven industrial institutions included Samchang Company, Bowhadang Herbal Medicine Store, Yuil Rice Mill, Samchang Orchard, Yiheung Orchard, Yeongsan Orchard, and Geumsan Orchard. With Wongkwangsa, the publishing organ, the number of institutions totaled 18.