Name: Chris W.
Dharma Name: Wongwang (원광, 2018)
Practice Background: Initially in college, out of curiosity about Buddhism. I started practicing informally in the late 90s, and joined my first sangha a few years later.
Won Buddhism Background: I first heard about Won Buddhism by driving by the Won Dharma Center, which is very close to our place upstate. But the first temple I visited was in Manhattan when I was looking for a new sangha.
Profession: Language instructor and content creator (Language Garage)
Hobbies or Interests: My husband, my dogs, my family, cooking, nature.
A Dharma book you recommend: Sangharakshita’s “The Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path”
A Dharma phrase or teaching that stays with you: “In the seen, only the seen; in the heard, only the heard…” from the Bahiya Sutta
What brings you joy or makes you laugh these days? Any episode of Bob’s Burgers or Rick and Morty
Advice for someone new to practice: It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and it’s not a straight line. Keep going.