Vows harmony and reform at inauguration ceremony

'May peace of mind become peace in the world'

Pledges to bring Buddha's enlightenment into everyday life

Venerable Jinwoo, the 38th head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, delivers his inaugural address at Jogyesa temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. [Yonhap]
Venerable Jinwoo, the 38th head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, delivers his inaugural address at Jogyesa temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. [Yonhap]

Venerable Jinwoo, beginning his second term as the 38th head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, pledged Thursday to build a Buddhism worthy of respect through the practice of compassion.

Speaking at his inauguration ceremony held on a special outdoor stage at Jogyesa temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Jinwoo said the past four years had laid the groundwork for stability and new change within the order. "Now is the time to leap boldly forward from that foundation toward a new chapter in Korean Buddhism," he said. "From stability to a great leap — I will open a new century for Korean Buddhism."

Jinwoo said he would "take the lead in an era where peace of mind creates peace in the world," adding that he would spread Seon meditation as a national mindfulness movement so that anyone could find inner calm in daily life. He called on the government, local authorities, civic organizations and neighboring religions to join the effort, saying Seon meditation should transcend religious and generational boundaries.

He also vowed to practice compassion through action, not words. "I will walk more actively alongside the socially vulnerable, the marginalized, the sick and the lonely," he said. "I will build a monastic community in which practitioners are respected."

On the order itself, Jinwoo pledged to pursue both harmony and unceasing reform. "I will bind us together with justice, unite us through empathy and act with a public-minded spirit," he said. "I will communicate with the regional districts and listen broadly to the will of the order's members." He added that outdated systems and unreasonable practices would be boldly changed after sufficient dialogue and persuasion.

He also expressed his intention to preserve Buddhist cultural heritage and share it with the world.

"Korean Buddhism must no longer be a Buddhism that stays within temple gates," Jinwoo said. "It must be a Buddhism that enters into the pain of the world, that brings peace to the hearts of the people, that reaches out first to those in need, and that offers humanity a new path toward spiritual civilization."

He added that he would "start by listening from a humble place," but would not step back from what must be done. He pledged to devote himself to spreading the Buddha's enlightenment into the world — "so that the people may find peace in their hearts, our society may find harmony, and the whole world may be filled with compassion and peace."

About 5,000 people attended the inauguration ceremony, including the chairman of the Jogye Order's Council of Elders, the speaker of the Central Council, abbots of district head temples, representatives of neighboring religious orders and faiths, and figures from politics and government.

Jinwoo donated $100,000 to the Embassy of Nepal in Korea to support flood relief efforts, and 100 million won ($73,800) to the Jogye Order's Social and Labor Committee, which advocates for the vulnerable.

Congratulatory remarks followed, beginning with a reading of a message from President Lee Jae Myung, and continuing with addresses by Venerable Jugyeong, speaker of the Jogye Order's Central Council; Park In-jun, head of Cheondogyo and co-chair of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace; Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul; Venerable Deoksu, head of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism; and Jeong Won-ju, chair of the Jogye Order's Central Lay Buddhist Council.


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