As South Korean snowboarders celebrate a series of historic medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, attention has turned to an unlikely but longstanding supporter of the country’s winter sports athletes: Ven. Hosan, head monk of Bongseonsa Temple.

In an interview with Yonhap News Agency last Thursday, Ven. Hosan said, “Our athletes have worked so hard.” (The Korea Herald)

His remarks followed a series of podium finishes by Korean competitors, several of whom are known as “Dharma Kids” for their early participation in or support from the Dharma Snowboard Competition, a grassroots event he founded more than 20 years ago.

Among this year’s medalists are Kim Sang-gyeom, who secured Korea’s first medal of the Games in the snowboard parallel giant slalom and marked the country’s 400th Olympic medal overall; Yoo Seung-eun, who claimed Korea’s first-ever Olympic medal in women’s skiing or snowboarding in the big air event; and Choi Gaon, who earned Korea’s first Olympic gold medal in skiing in the halfpipe competition.

Many of these athletes either competed in the Dharma Snowboard Competition or received financial and community support from Buddhist sponsors beginning in 2004. Ven. Hosan has led the initiative since its inception, helping to cover training expenses and offering mentorship to young competitors.

Ven. Hosan first encountered snowboarding in 1995 while visiting a ski resort near Bongseonsa Temple in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. The visit came at the request of a local resort operator, who allowed him to use the facilities at no cost. What began as a casual experience soon developed into a sustained interest.

At the time, snowboarding in South Korea was often viewed with skepticism, and snowboarders faced negative public perceptions. Ven. Hosan later reflected that he was drawn to the sport’s spirit of “freedom.” “There was something in common with Buddhism’s pursuit of liberation from the cycle of birth and death,” he said. (The Korea Herald)

As he spent more time with young snowboarders—buying them meals and listening to their concerns about training and finances—he became aware of the economic challenges many faced. Some athletes were working part-time jobs to afford training camps and travel costs. In response, he launched the Dharma Snowboard Competition to provide both funding and visibility.

Each annual event costs between 50 million won and 100 million won (approximately US$34,500–69,000) and has been sustained for more than two decades through donations from the Buddhist community and corporate sponsors. The competition has become a fixture in Korea’s winter sports calendar and a stepping stone for emerging athletes.

Among earlier beneficiaries was Lee Sang-ho, who won South Korea’s first Olympic medal in snowboarding at the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Like Kim and Choi, Lee competed in the Dharma Snowboard Competition during his formative years. Several athletes who received support later returned as donors, contributing funds to assist younger competitors.

Ven. Hosan has described this cycle of generosity as central to his vision. “Blessings are not something you simply wish for. They are something you build,” he said. “What I give will return to me from somewhere else, with interest.” (The Korea Herald)

South Korea’s Buddhist community, which represents roughly 15–20 per cent of the population according to recent census data, has historically played a visible role in cultural and educational initiatives. While temples are often associated with meditation and ritual practice, projects such as the Dharma Snowboard Competition reflect broader forms of social engagement.

Observers note that Ven. Hosan’s involvement challenges stereotypes about monastic life and highlights the adaptability of Korean Buddhism in contemporary society. By linking athletic aspiration with Buddhist values of perseverance, generosity, and interdependence, the Dharma Snowboard Competition has helped shape a generation of athletes now competing on the world stage.

As South Korea continues its campaign in Milan-Cortina, the achievements of its snowboarders underscore the impact of long-term community support—rooted not only in training facilities and sponsorships, but also in relationships forged between temple and slope.

See more

Buddhist blessing behind South Korea’s rising snowboard stars (The Korea Herald)
Olympics: The Buddhist monk behind South Korea’s snowboarding medals (Asia News)
Buddhism becomes unlikely force behind Korea’s Olympic snowboard success (The Korea Times)

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