Three senior monks have formally entered the race to become the 38th president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, setting up a potentially competitive election for leadership of South Korea’s largest Buddhist order.

The election is scheduled for 3 September and will be decided by an electoral college of 321 monks, including 81 members of the order’s Central Council and 240 representatives selected from its 24 regional districts.

Ven. Gyeongu, a former abbot of Seonunsa, a temple in North Jeolla Province, announced his candidacy on 10 August at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Seoul. Presenting himself as a candidate for institutional reform, he called for greater decentralization, transparency, and consultation within the order.

“I wish to take a great step toward opening an era of a great leap forward for Korean Buddhism,” Ven. Gyeongu said. “The younger generation is drifting ever further from religion, and the people, weary from their arduous lives, are desperately searching for new spiritual values. In the face of this stern question of the times, our order can by no means remain in yesterday’s place.” (Seoul Economic Daily)

Ven. Gyeongu proposed a diocese-centered system that would transfer some authority from the central administration to the regional Buddhist authorities, including greater responsibility for appointing abbots of subsidiary temples.

“I will realize a decentralized diocesan autonomy system and boldly transfer authority such as the power to appoint abbots of subsidiary temples to the dioceses,” he said. (Seoul Economic Daily)

He also pledged greater participation for bhikkhunis, or fully ordained Buddhist nuns, saying: “I will establish a system of constant communication and consultation with the National Bhikkhuni Association, and ensure that the voices of bhikkhunis are substantively reflected in the order’s policies and operations.” (Seoul Economic Daily)

Ven. Gyeongu has previously served in several senior administrative roles in the Jogye Order and as a member of its Central Council.

His candidacy follows that of Ven. Jeongnyeom, former abbot of Woljeongsa. Ven. Jeongnyeom attended Ven. Gyeongu’s announcement, while Ven. Gyeongu had similarly attended Ven. Jeongnyeom’s candidacy announcement on 6 August. Their appearances together have prompted speculation that the two could eventually consolidate their campaigns.

“Unification of candidacies is an essential condition,” Ven. Jeongnyeom said during his 6 August announcement. (Seoul Economic Daily)

On 11 August, incumbent Jogye Order president Ven. Jinwoo formally registered to seek a second four-year term. Ven. Gyeongu was assigned ballot No. 1, Ven. Jeongnyeom No. 2, and Ven. Jinwoo No. 3.

“From stability to a leap forward, I will open a new 100 years for Korean Buddhism,” Ven. Jinwoo said in announcing his candidacy. (Maeil Business)

Ven. Jinwoo, who was elected without opposition four years ago, pointed to initiatives undertaken during his tenure, including the resolution of a decades-long dispute over cultural heritage admission fees at temples in national parks, efforts to popularize Seon meditation, and programs aimed at attracting younger generations.

“On the foundation of stability within the order, Korean Buddhism must now take a further step toward a greater leap forward,” Ven. Jinwoo said. (Maeil Business)

He has also pledged reforms related to monastic welfare, greater rights for bhikshunis, expanded practice allowances, and further decentralization of authority. Ven. Jinwoo said that if re-elected, he would consider changes to the order’s leadership-selection process, including the possibility of direct elections.

His candidacy received an immediate boost when 53 of the Central Council’s 81 members publicly declared their support for him following his registration. South Korea’s Maeil Business newspaper reported that his support among eligible council voters could approach 70 per cent when monks unable to make public endorsements were included.

The Jogye Order is the dominant tradition of Korean Buddhism and traces its institutional identity to the country’s long Seon Buddhist tradition. Its president oversees the order’s central administration and external affairs and is one of the most prominent representatives of Buddhism in South Korea.

Regional councils will select the remaining members of the 321-person electoral college from 19–23 August. Whether Ven. Gyeongu and Ven. Jeongnyeom ultimately combine their candidacies is expected to determine whether the 3 September vote becomes a two-way contest or remains a three-candidate race.

See more

Ven. Gyeongu Enters Race to Lead Korea’s Largest Buddhist Order (Seoul Economic Daily)
Venerable Jinwoo Says He Will Open a New Century for Korean Buddhism (Maeil Business)

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