Sotaesan

Park, Chung-bin (1891–1943), better known as Sotaesan, was born on May 5, 1891 in Korea. Sotaesan began his quest to understand the fundamental principles of the universe and human life at an early age.

A Young Boy with Many Questions (1891–1900)

Looking up at the sky, he wondered, “How is the sky so high and wide? How can clouds and storms appear from such a clear sky?” Sotaesan questioned anything he encountered in his life, including his own existence. Even his family members—parents, brothers, and sisters—all served as models for spiritual questions. The more he became engrossed in questions, the more Sotaesan became committed to finding answers.

Searching Outside (1901–1911)

At the age of eleven, Sotaesan heard of a traditional folk legend of an all-knowing mountain spirit. He thought that if he could meet this spirit, he would find the answers to all of his questions. It is said that Sotaesan often hiked four kilometers from his home into the mountains to offer prayers to the mountain spirit, but despite his untiring dedication, it never appeared.

When he was sixteen, Sotaesan was inspired by a story about a man who had his wishes fulfilled upon meeting an enlightened teacher. He gave up his quest for the mountain spirit and began to look for a spiritual teacher. Whenever he saw a stranger or a beggar, he tested them to see if they might be a spiritual master in disguise.

Great Enlightenment (1916)

After years of deep spiritual seeking, Sotaesan attained Great Enlightenment in 1916. He then set out to establish a new religious order that would bring the essence of Buddhist truth into practical, everyday life—accessible to all people regardless of gender, social class, or background.

“Our aim is that we should not be useless in the world by being Buddhist disciples, but, through our practical application of the buddhadharma, we become useful people who can help individuals, families, societies, and nations.”

— Sotaesan