Ven. Jigwan, who led the nation’s largest Buddhist order of Jogye, died of asthma on Monday at Gyeongguk Temple in Seoul. He was 80.

According to officials of the order, Jigwan became a follower of Buddhism in 1947, studied under the noted monk Jawun and became a monk himself in 1953.

He held a number of positions including head monk at Haein Temple in South Gyeongsang Province, president of Dongguk University and executive chief of the Jogye Order between 2005 and 2009.

Well-known for his passion for learning, he established Gasan Buddhist Culture Center and published books on famous monks in Korean history. He was awarded Order of Cultural Merit, as well as several other awards.

Jigwan attracted the media spotlight for publicly criticizing the Lee Myung-bak government for its alleged preference for Christianity over Buddhism. He openly demanded that Lee, a Christian, maintain religious neutrality.

He organized a nationwide meeting of tens of thousands of Buddhists in central Seoul in protest of religious favoritism by the administration. He was also at the forefront of religious leaders who opposed Lee’s pet project to refurbish the four rivers. Cheong Wa Dae had expressed regret over the dispute but Jigwan reportedly turned down its attempts at appeasement.

The cremation ceremony for Jigwan is scheduled for Sunday.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)