Wonjuksa Temple USA

Introduction to Ven. SungHyang Sunim

of Wonjuksa Buddhist Temple, Garfield, New Jersey

Venerable Sunghyang, the Abbot of Wonjuksa Buddhist Temple in Garfield, New Jersey, is a monk affiliated with the Jogye Order—the largest Buddhist denomination in South Korea. Sunim dedicates himself to propagating the teachings of Korean Buddhism throughout the Eastern United States, with a focus on community outreach.

 **Highlights**

 Seon (Zen) Buddhism emphasizes  practice in Korean traditional chanting, prayer and meditaion.

* **Abbot of Wonjuksa Buddhist Temple:** Sunim leads Wonjuksa Temple, located in Garfield, New Jersey. Sunim transformed a former American church building into a traditional Korean Buddhist temple.

 * **Outreach to the Next Generation:** Sunim established the "Moduda Korean School" within Wonjuksa Buddhist Temple to educate descendants of Korean immigrants on Korean culture and Korean language, thereby fostering a stronger sense of heritage and community.

 * **Appearance on BBS (Buddhist Broadcasting System):** In December 2025, Sunim appeared on BBS to share his insights regarding the unique characteristics of Korean Buddhism in the U.S. and strategies for propagating the faith worldwide.

 * **Community Engagement:** Sunim actively connects with the local Korean community through various temple events: New Year's prayer service, ceremony for the Buddha's Birthday, the *Baekjung* (Deceased prayer and remembrance) and winter retreat. Sunim works to expand exchanges with other cultural and  ethnic communities.

 Sunim emphasizes that spiritual practice is the  meditative and comtemplative process of learning to let go of one's ego and finding joy in the cultivation of peace and fulfillment in  others.