Yoon Pays Condolences to Monk Jaseung: "Will Remember the Great Monk for a Long Time"

by Jo Youjin

Published 02 Dec.2023 17:48(KST)

Updated 02 Dec.2023 20:36(KST)

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On the afternoon of the 2nd, President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the condolence altar set up at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for Venerable Jaseung, former Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, to pay his respects.

According to the Presidential Office, President Yoon left a condolence message expressing his intention to remember the great monk, who widely spread the Buddha's teachings for the happiness of all beings, and conveyed his condolences to the Buddhist community. First Lady Kim Keon-hee accompanied him during the visit.

After paying respects, President Yoon and the First Lady held a tea meeting with Chief Abbot Jinwoo, General Affairs Director Seonghwa, and Secretary Jin-gyeong. At this meeting, President Yoon urged, "Please uphold the Dharma propagation efforts that Venerable Jaseung devoted himself to during his lifetime and dedicate yourselves to the development of Buddhism."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon has met with Venerable Jaseung several times since his presidential candidacy. On November 8th last year, he met with Venerable Jaseung, the head monk at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, and received advice on managing the aftermath of the Itaewon tragedy. On May 27th this year, Buddha’s Birthday, after attending the Jogyesa Temple celebration ceremony, he also visited Bongeunsa Temple separately.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Venerable Jaseung, who served as the 33rd and 34th Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order, passed away due to a fire in the temple lodging quarters at Chiljangsa Temple located in Chiljang-ri, Juksan-myeon, Anseong-si, Gyeonggi Province on the 29th of last month. The lodging quarters refer to the living quarters where monks carry out their daily lives.

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Meanwhile, Presidential Office officials including Chief Secretary Kim Dae-gi and Policy Chief Lee Gwan-seop visited the condolence altar the day before to pay their respects.