Buddhist temple expands

Parishioners who transcend religious backgrounds and an architect whose dying wish was for the opening of a Buddhist meditation hall will have their hard work fulfilled Saturday.

Nestled behind high hedges along Old N.C. 86, Chapel Hill’s Won-Buddhism Meditation Temple has served the community for nearly a decade.

And this weekend, it will add a new meeting space that follows the vision of Rev. WonGong So and architect John Hartley, who died of cancer in June.

Rev. So, a native of South Korea and graduate of the University of Maryland, came to Chapel Hill in 2003 to teach Won-Buddhism.

“I had a great hope that people would be interested in the benefits of these teachings,” she said.

Won-Buddhism, which began in the early 1900s, replaces the worship of Buddha with the “Won” — the Korean word for “circle” and a symbol that represents truth.

Rev. So said Won-Buddhism’s message of self-awareness and discovering order in a chaotic world has appealed to members of the Chapel Hill community.

“This place could help people find the way of peace and happiness,” she said.

Parishioners previously met in the living room of a converted house sold to the group by one of its members, Chon Shoaf, who is also a Baptist deacon,

But as more attended regularly, the space became cramped. By 2005 Rev. So and roughly 30 temple members began planning an expansion — a new dharma hall.

Over the next five years, members raised about $525,000 for the hall, and construction began in fall 2010.

Hartley, who was a member of the temple, led the planning and construction of the new hall. He was a career architect who had a passion for blending nature with architecture, Shoaf said.

“John was open-minded and always wanted to have fun and try different things,” he said.

Rev. So said the hall became a work of love for Hartley, who worked on plans until his death.

“John worked very sincerely and very joyfully,” she said. “He was very happy when he was working on the hall.”

Parishioners spread his ashes in a garden named for him.

“We pour so many blessings to his soul,” Rev. So said.

Parishioners said they are excited about the opportunities the new hall offers. The 2,600-square-foot space will fit more people and offer more room for stretches and exercises.

The hall’s dedication ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and will be followed by lunch. On Sunday, there will be a meditation service and an open house.

John Delconte, a practitioner who grew up Catholic, said Won-Buddhism has appeal regardless of one’s spiritual experience.

“They don’t care if you practice another religion,” he said. “The ultimate goal is to drop our selfishness and find a more outward perspective.”

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