The election for the 38th head of the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest Buddhist sect, has officially begun. The current head, Jinwoo, has announced his candidacy for re-election, joining fellow candidates Jeongnyeom and Gyeongu, creating a three-way race.
On August 11, Jinwoo declared his candidacy at the Korea Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno, Seoul, stating, "I will open a new chapter for Korean Buddhism." Jinwoo was elected unopposed in the previous election for the 37th head of the order in 2022.
He emphasized the need for a period of leap toward a future vision based on stability and change. His key pledges include discussions on reforming the monk election system, decentralization of dioceses, expanding welfare for monks, enhancing the rights of female monks, innovating outreach through AI and new media, and promoting K-style meditation.
The current election landscape features a three-way contest among Jinwoo, Jeongnyeom, and Gyeongu. A significant variable is whether Jeongnyeom and Gyeongu will unify their candidacies. Both monks have attended each other's announcement events, leaving the door open for potential unification. If successful, the race could shift to a two-way contest between Jinwoo and a unified candidate.
Both Jeongnyeom and Gyeongu have prominently featured 'change' and 'reform of the order' in their platforms.
Jeongnyeom, who served as the head monk of Woljeongsa for 22 years, announced his candidacy on August 6, stating, "New leadership is needed in the face of the changing times." He proposed five key policies focused on restoring trust through practice, decision-making based on fairness, decentralization of dioceses, welfare for monks from ordination to passing, and leading healing in the AI era. Notably, he pledged to limit his term to one, vowing not to seek re-election if elected. He aims to distribute powers concentrated in the head office, such as the appointment of temple heads, to the dioceses, and to enhance transparency and accountability in the order's operations through financial disclosures and independent audits.
Gyeongu, a former head monk of Seonunsa, has made 'decentralized diocesan autonomy' a central pledge. He plans to create diocesan laws to transfer powers, such as the appointment of temple heads currently held by the head of the order, to the dioceses. He also promises to expand the participation of female monks in the order, establish an AI policy committee, create a unified computer network for the order, and develop a Buddhist GPT.
All three candidates share common ground in their pledges regarding decentralization of dioceses, welfare for monks, and innovative outreach in the AI era. However, Jinwoo emphasizes stability based on the current administration's achievements, while Jeongnyeom focuses on reforming the order's operational structure, and Gyeongu highlights diocesan autonomy and increased participation of female monks.
The election will take place on September 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Korea Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Seoul. Candidate registration is open from August 11 to 5 p.m. on August 13. A total of 321 voters, including 81 members of the central legislative body and 240 elected from 24 diocesan headquarters, will cast their votes to elect the head of the order.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.