Chapter 3. The Basis of the World of Il-Won Buddhism
4. Promulgation of the Three Principles of Ethics and the Establishment of the Beop-Eun Foundation
On April 26th, of the forty-sixth year of Won-Buddhism (1961), a ceremony was held in the General Headquarters and temples in all regional districts to celebrate both the 46th anniversary of the Order`s founding, and the 60thbirthday of Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan. That morning, at the General Headquarters, the Head Dharma Master asked that only a simple ceremony be performed in order "to do away with all empty formalities and conduct a plain and frugal ceremony". By means of the commemorative dharma instruction, Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan said, "By explaining the gist of the Three Principles of Ethics that would serve as the fundamental principles in our building the one world in the future, I would like to pledge our original vow anew with my fellow believers" and officially declared the Three Principles of Ethics. Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan spoke: "The first of the Three Principles of Ethics is the Principle of Common Religious Origin, which means by knowing that all religions and religious assemblies are of one root, we can be in perfect harmony with one another. The second is the Principle of Connection through Common Life Energy, which means by knowing that the essence of all races and sentient beings are brethren connected through one life energy, we can be in perfect harmony with one another. The third is the Principle of Common Mission, which means by knowing that all works and assertions equally serve as the fuel to improve the world, we can be in perfect harmony with one another." In May of that year (Won-Buddhist year 46 [1961]), the Beop-Eun Foundation, [the healthcare foundation for Jeonmu-Chulshin], was established and its steering committee was formed. The Beop-Eun Foundation was the Head Dharma Master`s wish for a long time. Prior to his sixtieth birthday celebration ceremony, Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan requested: "While I am under the devoted care of many fellow believers during my stage of illness my fellow ?Jeonmu-Chulshin, who have fallen ill while sincerely and devotedly working for the Order in various places, have yet to have the means of financial support from the Order. This often times pains me and brings me anxiety. Those who wish to express good-fellowship can commemorate my sixtieth birthday by originating a foundation that will take measures to provide healthcare services to Jeonmu-Chulshin." The fellow believers lay and ordained at the General Headquarters and temples in all provisional districts upheld the request, and raised funds on the day of the Celebration, and with these funds the Foundation was established. The statutes of the foundation were enacted and its steering committee was formed. Later, in July of the fifty-second year of Won-Buddhism (1967), with the inauguration of the Beop-Eun Society, an association for the support of the Beop-Eun Foundation, which had conducted a campaign to increase the fund until Won- Buddhist year 54 (1969), the Foundation was substantially expanded. With the use of the funds, numerous convalescing Jeonmu-Chulshins continuously received the grace of dharma.
The History of Won-Buddhism (Wonbulgyo Kyosa)
Part 3. Fruition of the Sacred Work
Chapter 3. The Basis of the World of Il-Won Buddhism
4. Promulgation of the Three Principles of Ethics and the Establishment of the Beop-Eun Foundation
On April 26th, of the forty-sixth year of ita_tita_tWonitb_titb_t-Buddhism (1961), a ceremony was held in the General Headquarters and temples in all regional districts to celebrate both the 46th anniversary of the Order`s founding, and the 60thbirthday of Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan. That morning, at the General Headquarters, the Head Dharma Master asked that only a simple ceremony be performed in order "to do away with all empty formalities and conduct a plain and frugal ceremony". By means of the commemorative dharma instruction, Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan said, "By explaining the gist of the Three Principles of Ethics that would serve as the fundamental principles in our building the one world in the future, I would like to pledge our original vow anew with my fellow believers" and officially declared the Three Principles of Ethics. -br-Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan spoke: "The first of the Three Principles of Ethics is the Principle of Common Religious Origin, which means by knowing that all religions and religious assemblies are of one root, we can be in perfect harmony with one another. The second is the Principle of Connection through Common Life Energy, which means by knowing that the essence of all races and sentient beings are brethren connected through one life energy, we can be in perfect harmony with one another. The third is the Principle of Common Mission, which means by knowing that all works and assertions equally serve as the fuel to improve the world, we can be in perfect harmony with one another."-br-In May of that year (ita_tita_tWonitb_titb_t-Buddhist year 46 [1961]), the ita_tBeop-Eunitb_t Foundation, [the healthcare foundation for ita_tJeonmu-Chulshinitb_t], was established and its steering committee was formed. The ita_tBeop-Eunitb_t Foundation was the Head Dharma Master`s wish for a long time. Prior to his sixtieth birthday celebration ceremony, Head Dharma Master Chŏngsan requested: "While I am under the devoted care of many fellow believers during my stage of illness my fellow ?ita_tJeonmu-Chulshinitb_t, who have fallen ill while sincerely and devotedly working for the Order in various places, have yet to have the means of financial support from the Order. This often times pains me and brings me anxiety. Those who wish to express good-fellowship can commemorate my sixtieth birthday by originating a foundation that will take measures to provide healthcare services toita_t Jeonmu-Chulshinitb_t." The fellow believers lay and ordained at the General Headquarters and temples in all provisional districts upheld the request, and raised funds on the day of the Celebration, and with these funds the Foundation was established. The statutes of the foundation were enacted and its steering committee was formed.-br-Later, in July of the fifty-second year of ita_tita_tWonitb_titb_t-Buddhism (1967), with the inauguration of the ita_tBeop-Eunitb_t Society, an association for the support of the ita_tBeop-Eunitb_t Foundation, which had conducted a campaign to increase the fund until ita_tita_tWonitb_titb_t- Buddhist year 54 (1969), the Foundation was substantially expanded. With the use of the funds, numerous convalescing ita_tJeonmu-Chulshinsitb_t continuously received the grace of dharma.