Jogye Order Education Director Hyeil Sunim Recommended as Candidate for Head Monk of Haeinsa Temple

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Hyeil Sunim, the head of the Jogye Order Education Institute, has been recommended as a candidate for the head monk position at Haedongsa, a major temple of the Beopbo sect located in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam.

Haedongsa held an emergency meeting at the temple at 1 p.m. that day to recommend a candidate for the head monk position and unanimously recommended Hyeil Sunim. This came 12 days after the former head monk, Hyeoneung Sunim, was suspended from duty due to violations of monastic rules. The appointment will be finalized once Jinwoo Sunim, the chief executive of the Jogye Order, approves it.

Hyeil Sunim.

Previously, Haedongsa showed signs of conflict with the Jogye Order regarding the appointment of the head monk. Haedongsa issued a statement urging the appointment of Wontae Sunim, who was recommended as head monk, while the Jogye Order insisted that an investigation into Hyeoneung Sunim, who was embroiled in a sexual misconduct controversy, should come first, leading to a confrontation.

Amid criticism that there was a power struggle over the head monk position, Haedongsa officially withdrew the recommendation of Wontae Sunim on the 30th of last month. Additionally, they issued a repentance statement and held a repentance prayer meeting, stating that they are making strenuous efforts to continue a pure practice tradition.

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