The 2026 Modern Buddhist Literature Awards, hosted by the Cultural Department of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and organized by the Modern Buddhist Writers Association, announced its winners on November 3. Lee Sang-moon, 79, received the award in the literature category, while Seowan Monk, 72, was honored in the Zen literature category.
Lee Sang-moon's award-winning collection, Asura (Inbooks, 2025), explores human nature and tragic fate in extreme situations of war, framed within a worldview of Buddhist compassion and interdependence. Born in 1947 in Naju, South Jeolla Province, Lee debuted in 1983 after winning the New Writer Award from Monthly Literature. His 1987 novel Hwangseok-in became a bestseller. He has received numerous accolades, including the Korea Literature Award, the Korean Novel Literature Award, the Nogeunri Peace Prize (literature category), and the Korean Literature Award.
Since 1996, the Modern Buddhist Literature Awards have recognized mid-career writers who have published works based on Buddhist principles within the last two years, regardless of their religious affiliation. Previous winners include renowned poets such as Shin Kyung-rim, Jeong Hyun-jong, Moon Jeong-hee, and Na Tae-joo, as well as novelists like Jo Jung-rae, Kim Hong-sin, and Choi In-ho.
Seowan Monk, the recipient in the Zen literature category, hails from Sinan, South Jeolla Province, and became a monk in 1973. He has practiced at various temples, including Haeinsa. In 1989, he participated in the 'Great Cart Literature Sharing' group and the 'Namchon Literature' group in Haenam. He debuted in 1991 after winning the New Writer Award from Literary Space. Since then, he has worked to promote Buddhist literature by founding the Modern Buddhist Writers Association. He has published several poetry collections, including his first, A Heart Empty as the Sky. The Modern Buddhist Writers Association has awarded the Zen literature category since 2021 to monks who excel in both Zen and literature, with previous winners including Jeong-hyu, Seong-woo, Ham-hyun, and Cheong-hwa.
The awards ceremony is scheduled for November 14 at 3 PM at the Daegu Biseulsan Youth Hostel. Each winner will receive a certificate and a cash prize of 10 million won from the head of the Jogye Order.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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