Ven. Dr. Chung Ohun Lee
Former Chair, Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations
Response to Keynote Address
=== Biography ===
Ven. Dr. Chung Ohun Lee is a spiritual teacher, visionary activist, and global leader in interreligious dialogue and cooperation. As a guiding spiritual teacher of Won Buddhism, she imparts its philosophy of spiritual awakening and liberation to both her local community and international audiences.
Ven. Lee is recognized for her skill in conveying Won Buddhist teachings on personal, community, and global levels. She founded the Manhattan Temple, the first English-speaking community in Won Buddhism, and established the United Nations Office of Won Buddhism in 1992 to foster global peace and development.
Her leadership roles include serving as President of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN (1995-1997) and Co-President of Religions for Peace International (1999-2018). She has also held significant positions within UN Committees, focusing on peace and social development, climate change, human rights, universal ethics, and gender equality, while integrating ethical, moral, and spiritual perspectives into UN initiatives.
Dr. Lee is the author of several books, including Gender Equality: Women in Won Buddhism (2013), Living Dharma: A Guide to Daily Practice of Won Buddhism (2012), Vision for a New Civilization: Spiritual and Ethical Values in the New Millennium (2000), and Dharma Record: New Mind and New Body (1994). She holds a Ph.D. from New York University and received full ordination in Korea in 1981.
Ven. Dr. Chung Ohun Lee is a spiritual teacher, visionary activist, and global leader in interreligious dialogue and cooperation. As a guiding spiritual teacher of Won Buddhism, she imparts its philosophy of spiritual awakening and liberation to both her local community and international audiences.
Ven. Lee is recognized for her skill in conveying Won Buddhist teachings on personal, community, and global levels. She founded the Manhattan Temple, the first English-speaking community in Won Buddhism, and established the United Nations Office of Won Buddhism in 1992 to foster global peace and development.
Her leadership roles include serving as President of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN (1995-1997) and Co-President of Religions for Peace International (1999-2018). She has also held significant positions within UN Committees, focusing on peace and social development, climate change, human rights, universal ethics, and gender equality, while integrating ethical, moral, and spiritual perspectives into UN initiatives.
Dr. Lee is the author of several books, including Gender Equality: Women in Won Buddhism (2013), Living Dharma: A Guide to Daily Practice of Won Buddhism (2012), Vision for a New Civilization: Spiritual and Ethical Values in the New Millennium (2000), and Dharma Record: New Mind and New Body (1994). She holds a Ph.D. from New York University and received full ordination in Korea in 1981.