transformation should parallel developments in the material world The symbol of Il Won Sang (One Circle Image) vs. images of the Buddha (see also: Aniconism in Buddhism) A universalist message that all religions are essentially one Current practice Won Buddhist clerics -- women and men -- are called kyomunim (literally “someone devoted to the teaching”). Unlike traditional Buddhist monks, they do not shave their heads. The Prime Dharma Master is elected by the Supreme Dharma Council, consisting of senior and lay ministers who also are elected. Gender equality is both a core doctrine and an organizing principle. Female kyomumin have the same status as their male counterparts. Women as well as men may be elected “masters” and sit on the Supreme Dharma Council, Won Buddhism’s highest decision-making body. In past years, a culture developed in which female kyomunim remained celibate and dressed in traditional clothing while celibacy remained optional for male kyomunim, who could also wear contemporary dress. These differences were controversial. Female kyomunims have now adopted both traditional and modern clothing, and in 2019 the Supreme Dharma Council passed a resolution ensuring equal marriage access for all ministers. The Won Buddhist order has formed schools and social welfare centers in Korea and medical missions to other parts of the world. Supporting education is held especially important for the goal of increasing people’s independent self-reliance. Sotaesan taught that “all religions are of one household although they have different names in accordance with the different times and districts of their foundation” and the importance of inter-faith dialogue has been maintained by Head Dharma Masters since. Temples offer weekly services, typically on Sundays. These can include meditation, hymns and chanting, and a dharma talk, similar to a sermon. References Citations Works cited Adams, Daniel J., "Won Buddhism in Korea: A New Religious Movement Comes of Age," Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society -- Korea Branch 84 (2009) 1-35. Baker, Don, "Constructing Korea's Won Buddhism as a New Religion: Self-differentiation and Inter-religious Dialogue," International Journal for the Study of New Religions 3:1 (2012) 47-70. Chung, Bongkil, The Scriptures of Won Buddhism: A Translation of the WǒngBulgyo Kyojǒn with Introduction. Honolulu: Univ. Hawai'i Press, 2003. Chung, Bongkil, "Sot'aesan's Creation of Won Buddhism through the Reformation of Korean Buddhism," pp. 61-90 in Makers of Modern Korean Buddhism, Park, Jin Y., ed. Albany: SUNY Press, 2010. Clark, Peter, "Won Buddhism," pp. 299-301 in New Religions in