Ven. Jinwoo calls for Korean Buddhism to ‘enter into suffering of the world’

The Ven. Jinwoo, head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, called Thursday for a Buddhism that moves beyond the temple walls and “enters into the suffering of the world” as he began his second four-year term.

“Now, Korean Buddhism must become a Buddhism that does not remain within the temple gates, but enters into the suffering of the world, brings peace to people’s hearts, reaches out first to those in need and offers humanity a new path toward spiritual civilization,” Jinwoo said at his inauguration ceremony.

Jinwoo’s call was accompanied by concrete acts of charity. Representing the Jogye Order, he delivered $100,000 to the Nepal Embassy in Seoul to support recovery efforts following devastating floods in the country and 100 million won ($73,000) to the order’s Social and Labor Committee to support socially vulnerable groups. Both donations were raised by Jinwoo, according to Jogye Order.

The chief also pledged to expand “seon meditation,” a Korean Buddhist practice rooted in Zen, into a nationwide “movement of the mind,” calling on the government, local governments and other religious communities to join the effort.

The initiative builds on a key project of his first term to make meditation more accessible to the public, which he said he would continue expanding to help people find peace of mind.

President Lee Jae Myung, whose congratulatory remarks were delivered by Jeon Seong-hwan, senior secretary for listening and integration, highlighted Buddhism’s historical role in Korean society.

“Throughout Korea’s history, Buddhism has been a pillar that bore the hardships of the nation together, going beyond being simply a religion,” Lee said. He added that Korean society faces challenges including a rapidly changing global order and social polarization, saying that the Buddhist teachings of communication, harmony and coexistence are needed at a time like this.

About 5,000 people from across society attended the ceremony, including senior monks of the Jogye Order, heads of its regional branches, representatives of other Buddhist and religious communities, as well as political and diplomatic figures. US Ambassador to Korea Michelle Steel was among those in attendance.