Additional Release of Monk Jaseung's Will "Sorry for Not Being Together... Please Take Care of the Future of the Jongdan"

The will of Jaseung, the former Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism who passed away in the Chiljangsa fire, has been additionally disclosed. In the will, Venerable Jaseung requested the restoration of Chiljangsa and asked to lead the stagnant Korean Buddhism forward.

On the afternoon of the 1st, the Jogye Order additionally revealed the will found at Venerable Jaseung's residence at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall located in Jongno-gu, Seoul. This will is separate from the memo found in a vehicle near the Chiljangsa fire site on the 29th.

On the 30th, a memorial altar for Venerable Jaseung, who passed away in a fire at Chiljangsa Temple in Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province the previous day, was set up at the Daeungjeon Hall of Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the disclosed contents, Venerable Jaseung conveyed to the current Chief Executive, Venerable Jinwoo, "I am sorry for not being able to be with you until the end. Please take good care of the future of the order."

He then addressed the practitioners, saying, "Thank you to the noble families who have been with Sangwol Seonwon. I reflect on having neglected my practice while carrying out various duties," and added, "I sincerely respect and honor the monks and nuns who are diligently practicing at each Seonwon. (Omitted) I vow that you will lead the stagnant Korean Buddhism forward."

Regarding the restoration of Chiljangsa, he named his disciples Tanmuk, Tanmu, Tanwon, and Hyangrim, instructing them to "each contribute 200 million won to restore the hermitage." He also specified a deadline, saying, "It must be restored by 2025." The Jogye Order explained that this is interpreted as a request to restore Chiljangsa, which was destroyed by the fire.

A will discovered and disclosed by the Jogye Order on the 1st at the residence of Venerable Ja Seung
[Photo by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism]

Venerable Jaseung was found as a corpse of a monk (beopgu) at the Chiljangsa fire site in Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province, at 6:50 p.m. on the 29th. The police confirmed through DNA testing by the National Forensic Service on Venerable Jaseung and his family that the corpse was indeed Venerable Jaseung. The cause of death was confirmed to be due to the fire.

The Jogye Order interpreted Venerable Jaseung's passing as a self-immolation offering (soshin gongyang) to the Buddha by burning his own body. The funeral will be held as a Jogye Order state funeral until the 3rd. After the farewell ceremony on the 3rd, the cremation ceremony will be conducted at Yeonhwadae of Yongjusa Temple, to which Venerable Jaseung belonged.

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