Rev. WonGong So

Rev. WonGong (she/her), (affectionately known as Rev. Wow!) is a lifetime dedicated dharma teacher. She started her training in 1988 and was ordained a Kyomunim (dharma teacher) in 1994 after seven years of intensive training in Korea. She subsequently served in the Gangnam Temple in Seoul and the Rockville Temple in Maryland. She obtained a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Maryland and worked as a therapist and in Child Protective Services.

Rev. WonGong has established Won temples in Chapel Hill and Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a guest lecturer at schools, colleges and meditation centers, teaching Buddhist philosophy and meditation. She leads workshops, retreats, and youth dharma camps, integrating creative forms of meditation—body movement, vocalizing & breathing techniques, guided meditation, and laughter. She is a leading Korean-to-English translator of dharma teachings, serving as a spiritual bridge between East and West.

Rev. WonGong loves gardening, flower arranging, and singing. She has released two albums: Chants of Samadhi for Daily Practice and Chants for Healing.