Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | On October 1 this year, Venerable Jinwoo, the 38th President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, held his inauguration ceremony on a special stage at the Jogye-sa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, marking the official starting of his second term. Declaring, “I will consult through collective wisdom, unite through empathy, and act with a public-spirited heart,” Ven. Jinwoo expressed his resolve to usher in a new century for Korean Buddhism based on the stability and harmony of the Order.
Approximately 5,000 members of the Buddhist community attended the ceremony, including senior monks from the Council of Elders and the Central Council, heads of major diocesan temples, representatives from other Buddhist orders and religious groups, and figures from political and government circles. The Jogye Order had previously announced that around 5,000 people were expected to attend.
Notably, the event was attended by members of vulnerable groups—including the bereaved families of victims of the Sewol Ferry disaster, the Itaewon crowd crush, the Jeju Air flight accident, and industrial accidents—adding profound meaning to the ceremony by highlighting a commitment to sharing the pain of sentient beings and expanding the Order's role in society.
“From Stability to a Great Leap Forward… Opening a New Century for Korean Buddhism”
In his inaugural address, Ven, Jinwoo stated that he felt a heavy sense of responsibility rather than joy upon assuming the role of the 38th President. He emphasized that while the past four years had laid the foundation for the Order's stability and transformation, the time has now come to “make a vigorous leap forward toward a new century of Korean Buddhism.” It was also reported that, during the inauguration ceremony, he unveiled a vision to usher in a new century for the order. (Maeil Business Newspaper)
Ven. Jinwoo emphasized the importance of spiritual civilization, noting that while science, technology, and artificial intelligence are advancing rapidly, material abundance alone cannot resolve human anxiety, loneliness, anger, and conflict.
Accordingly, the 38th executive leadership plans to promote "Seon (Zen) meditation" as a "mental wellness practice" for the public, enabling anyone to cultivate inner peace in their daily lives—whether at school, work, home, or in the military.
He also pledged to put compassion for the socially vulnerable and marginalized into action rather than mere words, and to realize a pure, trustworthy Sangha by creating an environment where practitioners can fully dedicate themselves to spiritual practice and the propagation of the Dharma.
Regarding the administration of the order, he intends to pursue both harmony and reform. The plan is to listen broadly to the opinions of dioceses and members while improving outdated systems and irrational practices through communication and persuasion.
Delivering Funds for Flood Recovery in Nepal and Support for the Socially Vulnerable
The inauguration ceremony was designed not merely to celebrate the appointment but also to serve as an occasion for sharing and contributing to the well-being of society.
On this day, Ven. Jinwoo presented US$100,000 (approximately 140 million KRW) to the Embassy of Nepal in Korea to aid recovery efforts following the country's massive floods. He also donated 100 million KRW to the Jogye Order’s Social Labor Committee, a body that has stood in solidarity with the socially vulnerable and workers facing hardship.
This gesture symbolically embodies the direction of the 38th executive leadership, as outlined in his inaugural address: a commitment to practicing compassion through action rather than words. President Lee Jae-myung: “A Time When Buddhist Teachings of Communication, Harmony, and Mutual Coexistence Are Needed”
President Lee Jae-myung congratulated Ven. Jinwoo on his inauguration through a congratulatory message read on his behalf by Jeon Seong-hwan, the Senior Secretary for Listening and Integration at the Blue House.
President Lee noted that throughout South Korea's history, Buddhism has transcended its role as a mere religion to share in the nation's hardships. He emphasized that, as the country faces various challenges—such as a rapidly changing global order and social polarization—there is a pressing need for Buddhist teachings that advocate for communication, harmony, and mutual coexistence.
He further expressed his hope that the Jogye Order would flourish under Ven. Jinwoo's leadership and that Korean Buddhism would share its values of peace and compassion with the world.
Other prominent figures also offered congratulatory messages, celebrating Ven. Jinwoo’s inauguration and conveying wishes for interfaith harmony and mutual coexistence; these included Park In-jun, Head of the Cheondogyo Order and Representative President of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace; Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul; and Ven. Deoksu, President of the Administrative Headquarters of the Cheontae Order.
Supreme Patriarch Seongpa: “Realize a Pure Sangha and Revitalize Buddhism”
Ven. Jungbong Seongpa, the Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order, congratulated Ven. Jin-u on his inauguration through a Dharma address. He urged the new leader to humbly accept the will of the monastic community, realize a pure Sangha, and pave the way for the revitalization of Buddhism.
Supreme Patriarch Seongpa’s Dharma address was read on his behalf by the Chair of the Council of Elders.
Ven. Jinwoo also outlined his vision to preserve Buddhist cultural heritage and to promote the spiritual culture of Korean Buddhism—including temple stays, temple food, and Seon (Zen) meditation—so that these practices may become part of the lives of people around the world. In his inaugural address, Ven. Jin-u expressed his commitment to fostering a form of Buddhism that does not remain confined within temple gates but instead steps into the pain of the world, brings peace to the hearts of the people, and reaches out first to neighbors in need.
The launch of the 38th administration of the Jogye Order was marked by a vision for the next four years—guided by the principles of "public consensus, empathy, and a selfless spirit"—that includes popularizing Zen meditation, practicing compassion, realizing a pure Sangha, innovating the Order, and globalizing "K-Buddhism."
