The New York Wonkaksa Temple (Abbot Ven. Jikwang) held special ceremonies on March 17th including the ritual of enshrining Buddhist paintings as well as the commemorative ritual of the 18th anniversary of the passing of Great Master Taeheodang Beop-an. Approximately 300 people, including Senior Abbot Ven. Jeongwoo, attended.

Ven. Jeongwoo remarked, "It has been 20 years since I first met the late Master at Wonkaksa Temple in 2004. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the foundation of Wonkaksa Temple, so we chose the same date to enshrine the Buddhist paintings in the main Buddha Hall and hold a commemorative ceremony for Master Beop-an."

The eye-opening ceremony was followed by the commemorative tea offering ritual for Master Beop-an. Monastics and lay Buddhists of Wonkaksa Temple reflected on Master's lifelong dedication to spiritual practice and missionary work in America, pledging to uphold his teachings and contribute to the spread and revival of Buddhism.

Master Beop-an (1932-2007) served as a member of the Jogye Order Central Council and Vice President of Dongguk University. He earned a Ph.D. in Religious Education and Philosophy from Harvard University and served as President of the Korean Association for Religious Studies and a member of the Advisory Committee on Korean Religious Thought at the Center for the Study of Religion at New York State University. He is highly regarded for his significant contributions to introducing Korean Buddhism to Buddhists in various regions across the United States, including Long Island, Philadelphia, and New York.