The heart of Sowonsa

A childhood place of prayer
became a Buddhist temple.

Venerable Donghwan Daegwang was born in Jeonggwan, Busan, in 1951. As a child, he visited these rocks and springs with his mother to pray. He came to cherish the aspiration of building a temple here if he entered monastic life.

In 1968, he became a monk under Venerable Doil of the Tongdosa lineage. Remembering his childhood connection with the site, he began founding Sowonsa. Through demolition, fire and other hardships, he continued rebuilding with the Buddhist community.

He established the Haetal Order of Korean Buddhism and devoted himself to creating Daeungjeon and the temple’s other halls and prayer spaces. The founding account in the temple guide honours both his resolve and the devotion of the people who protected and nurtured Sowonsa.

His practice also found expression in poetry and prose. He studied Korean language and literature at Kyungsung University and earned a master’s degree in Buddhist studies at Dongguk University. His poetry collections include “A Pure Heart” and “The Lotus That Never Withers.”

The master entered nirvana on 12 March 2025.

Birth

12 September 1951 · Jeonggwan, Busan

Ordination

1968 · Venerable Doil, Tongdosa lineage

Founding work

Sowonsa Temple and the Haetal Order of Korean Buddhism

Dharma names

Donghwan (東桓) · Daegwang (大光)

Poetry

“A Pure Heart” and “The Lotus That Never Withers”