Taego Order's New Chief Administrator Sangjin Seunim: "We Will Establish Status and Revive Pride"

"We will firmly establish the status and value of the Taego Order's traditional nature so that all the Jongdo (宗徒) can take pride in it."

The inauguration ceremony of Sangjin Seunim, the 28th Chief Executive of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, was held on the afternoon of the 12th at Cheongryeonsa Temple in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Sangjin Seunim said, "I am confident that the heavy responsibility of the Chief Executive was given to me according to the circumstances demanding transformative reforms in a progressive direction," and delivered his inaugural address, stating, "I will faithfully carry out the policies I pledged." The pledges included ▲establishing a cultural project team for the preservation and dissemination of Buddhist cultural heritage ▲establishing autonomous operation of local dioceses ▲expanding educational projects ▲strengthening monk welfare such as specialized geriatric hospitals and nursing homes for monks ▲financial independence of the order ▲revival of the three-tier disciplinary procedure.

The newly appointed Chief Executive Monk Sangjin of the Taego Order.
[Photo by Korean Buddhism Taego Order]

Sangjin Seunim was ordained in 1991 and has served as the Director of the Taego Order's General Affairs Department, the head monk of Cheongryeonsa Temple, and the president of the Yangju Buddhist Temple Federation. In the election held last April, he was elected as the 28th Chief Executive of the Taego Order by receiving 95 out of 153 votes. His term began on June 27 and lasts for four years.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by about 2,000 people including Taego Order monks and believers, Hosan Seunim, the General Affairs Director of the Jogye Order, Deoksu Seunim, the Chief Executive of the Cheontae Order, Dojin Jeongsa, the Director of the Jingak Order, and other Buddhist order officials. Members of the National Assembly such as Ju Ho-young and Jung Chung-rae were also present.

Homyung Seunim, who is stepping down from the Chief Executive position, expressed his reflections on his term, saying, "It was a time when I deeply felt how heavy and difficult the responsibility of a leader is at the crossroads of Pasahyeonjeong (破邪顯正 - breaking false views and revealing the correct Dharma)." He also stated, "I will actively cooperate with the new administration with all my strength."

The Taego Order is the second largest Buddhist order in South Korea, following the Jogye Order in scale. It has 25 dioceses nationwide and over 3,400 temples. It is distinguished from the Jogye Order by recognizing private ownership of temples and allowing monks to marry autonomously.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.