Rev. Doyeon Park is a Kyomunim, literally meaning one who devotes oneself to teach Buddha dharma in the Won Buddhist tradition. She has served as a minister of the Manhattan Won Buddhist Temple and a representative of Won Buddhism to the United Nations since 2008. Also, she is the Buddhist chaplain at Columbia University and New York University.
Rev. Doyeon focuses on creating a sangha (spiritual community) where various individuals and groups can cultivate their inner wisdom and compassion to live with peace and dignity based on the teachings of Won Buddhism. Realizing the interconnectedness of all through her spiritual practice, she is also actively engaged in interfaith dialogue and cooperation to promote mutual understanding and respect among different religions.
Inspired by the Buddhist idea of inner freedom and happiness, Rev. Park started her monastic training in 1998. She graduated from the Dept. of Won Buddhism, Won Kwang University, Iksan, Korea, and earned an M.A. of Won Buddhist Studies from Won Institute of Graduate Studies, Glenside, Pennsylvania, USA. She received full ordination in 2007.
Read Rev. Doyeon’s blog on Huffington Post and Lion’s Roar.
Kimball Jones, Won Joong Shim, WBM Lay Teacher
Kimball Jones, Won Joong Shim, began attending the temple and practicing meditation and Won Buddhism in April 1994, the first year of WBM, and became a full member by receiving Dharma name as Won Joong Shim in 1995. He served as chair of the Program Council and Sangha Council of WBM. After his sixteen years of consistent practice of Won Buddhism, Kimball was appointed as a WBM lay teacher by Ven. Ohun Chung Lee in April, 2010.
Kimball earned his MDiv in Psychiatry and Religion and his Ph.D. in Psychiatry and Religion at Union Theological Seminary/Columbia.
Dr. Jones is Westside Area Director for the Psychotherapy and Spirituality Institute with full-time practice and supervising of other therapists. Kimball has served as Chairman of Psychology Dept. Summer School at Phillips Exeter Academy, New Hampshire, and Vice President of Board of Directors of C.G. Jung Foundation.
Kimball holds Diplomat of American Association of Pastoral Counselors and New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He received Award from the American Assoc. of Pastoral Counselors for Distinguished Service in treating Trauma Victims of the 9/11/01 disaster in October 2002.
Laura Samuels, Won Do, WBM Lay Teacher
Laura Samuels, Won Do, began attending the Manhattan Temple since it opened in 1994. She actively supports various special events held by the Temple and leads moving meditation and chi kung practice during retreats. She integrates Won Buddhist practice into her daily life to balance the demands of family and a career in health care. After sixteen years of consistent practice of Won Buddhism, Laura was appointed to the position of WBM Lay Teacher by Ven. Ohun Lee in April 2010.
She received the Won Buddhism Dharma Practice award in 2012. Laura holds a master’s degree in social policy and helps coordinate special programs for the Won Buddhism UN Office.
Laura is a long-time advocate of healthy living and has practiced chi kung, yoga, and tai chi for many years. She is a former instructor of chi kung at the Flushing YMCA where she taught for ten years. She was recently accepted as a disciple of Master Chen Zhongua, the international standard bearer for Chen Style Taijiquan. She trains in Chen Style Practical Method Taijiquan near her home in Queens.
Laura has also designed Won Motion, meditation, and exercise fusion that strengthens the body and enhances sitting practice. This graceful-aging practice is designed especially for Westerners, who tend to have lots of stiffness and weakness due to a sedentary lifestyle. Laura teaches Won Motion at the Manhattan Temple and privately.