Police: "No visitors other than Monk Jaseung were present in the temple quarters during Chiljangsa fire"

Handwriting Analysis of Two Notes Found at the Scene

The police investigating the fire at Chiljangsa Temple in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, where former Jogye Order Chief Administrator Monk Jaseung passed away, have determined that no one else besides Monk Jaseung was present at the scene when the fire broke out.

On the morning of the 30th, police, firefighters, and other officials are conducting a joint inspection to determine the cause of the fire at the temple lodging of Chiljangsa in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 30th, the Anseong Police Station in Gyeonggi announced, "It has been confirmed that no one other than Monk Jaseung was inside the monks' quarters (residence for monks) at the time of the fire." The police also added, "Based on CCTV footage from the scene, statements from Chiljangsa Temple officials, mobile phone location data, and testimonies from the bereaved family, the Buddhist ritual items found in the monks' quarters have been tentatively confirmed to belong to Monk Jaseung, who passed away."

The police plan to conduct handwriting analysis on a two-page memo found in a vehicle at the scene, as well as DNA testing for clear identification. The memo contains the message: "There is no need for an autopsy. I am simply choosing to part ways on my own accord, and since everything is recorded on CCTV, I kindly ask you not to make things complicated." It also includes a message to the head monk of Chiljangsa Temple: "I have caused much trouble by ending my life here. The senior disciples will restore this building. I am sorry and grateful. Let us continue the Buddha’s teachings." The police are also conducting witness interviews with three individuals, including the head monk, who were at other locations within the temple grounds at the time.

Amid growing suspicions regarding the possibility of foul play in the fire involving Monk Jaseung, the police have reportedly decided to disclose some of the information uncovered so far through their investigation. Earlier, at around 6:50 p.m. on the 29th, a fire broke out in the monks' quarters at Chiljangsa Temple in Juksan-myeon, Anseong City, resulting in the passing of Monk Jaseung. Monk Jaseung was a senior official of the Jogye Order who previously served as its Chief Administrator and was currently the head monk of Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Meanwhile, the Jogye Order held a briefing at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the same day, concluding that Monk Jaseung self-immolated by his own choice.

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