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 bid for re-election, joining fellow candidates Jeongnyeom and Gyeongu in a three-way race.
On August 11, at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno, Seoul, Jinwoo declared, "I will open a new chapter for Korean Buddhism." He was elected unopposed in the previous election for the 37th head in 2022.
Jinwoo 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 the potential unification of Jeongnyeom and Gyeongu's candidacies. Both monks have attended each other's announcement events, leaving the door open for collaboration. If unification occurs, the race could shift to a two-way contest between Jinwoo and the unified candidate.
Both Jeongnyeom and Gyeongu have prominently advocated for 'change' and 'reform' within the sect. 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 has pledged to limit his term, stating he would not seek re-election if elected. He aims to distribute powers currently concentrated in the head office, such as the appointment of temple heads, to the dioceses, and to enhance transparency and accountability in sect operations through financial disclosures and independent audits.
Gyeongu, a former head monk of Seonunsa, has made 'decentralized diocesan autonomy' a central promise. He plans to create diocesan laws to transfer powers, such as the appointment of temple heads, from the head office to the dioceses. He also pledged to expand the participation of female monks in the sect, establish an AI policy committee, create a unified computer network for the sect, 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 sect'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 Korean 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.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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