Won Buddhism of Manhattan

I was initially introduced to Buddhism in college by a friend of Chinese descent. He was a practicing Buddhist and member of a Zen meditation group on campus. I recently read a book on Buddhism and expressed an interest in learning more, so he invited me to join one of the Zen group sessions. After pushing through my first hour of sitting and walking meditation, I asked the group leader, a monk from a local temple, if he could suggest any reading to further my understanding of Buddhist concepts.

Buddhism is a very new way of life to me. Almost all members of my family, like the majority of Korean immigrants to North America, participate in Protestant Christian church communities. I was raised in these North American Korean Christian communities and deciding to leave the mentality of the church and practice Buddhism was a very long and difficult decision for me.

By Won Sa Yeon-Michael, Ph.D.

The article above reappears in its original form, as first published in 2003. An update in the form of the author's epilogue follows at bottom.

The New Logic in My Life

In the early 1980s, I found standing on the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel toll plaza, facing down an enraged motorist. Frustrated that I wouldn't let him cut ahead of a long car 

As a Buddhist who enjoys dancing Argentine tango, I’ve discovered that what is said about the dance strongly correlates to the practice. Tango is known as a ‘lifetime dance’ -- it is not something you can quickly pickup after learning just a few steps. People who have danced tango for many years still find themselves learning new things and it continues to be a challenge.