Professor Park Kwangsoo of Wonkwang University Publishes Paper in Prestigious International Journal of Religious Studies

Global Religious Journal Religions (A&HCI), Korean Wonbulgyo Funeral Rites

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Geon-ju] Professor Park Kwang-su of the Won Buddhism Department, College of Education and Theology, Wonkwang University in Jeonbuk, published a paper titled "The Funerary Rites of Won Buddhism in Korea" in the world-renowned religious studies journal Religions (A&HCI).

The journal Religions is an SCI-level A&HCI (Arts and Humanities Citation Index) indexed journal recognized globally for its authority. The A&HCI, provided by Thomson Reuters, is a citation index in the humanities field and, along with the Science Citation Index (SCI) and Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), is known as one of the most prestigious citation indexes worldwide.

This study revealed that a new religious movement emerged during the late 19th century amid rapid changes in domestic and international society, including religion, politics, and culture, and focused on introducing Won Buddhism, one of the most active new religious movements today.

In particular, it introduced the life of the founder of Won Buddhism, So Taesan, and the doctrinal system based on faith and practice centered on the Dharmakaya Buddha Ilwon Sang. It discussed the meaning and symbolism of Won Buddhism’s views on the birth and death of life and the funerary rites process, focusing on the Cheondojae (K. chn?njae 薦度齋). The paper is highly valued academically as an English-language article introducing Won Buddhism’s philosophy and funerary rites to the international community.

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