Jinwoo: "An Age Overflowing with Information but Lacking in Wisdom... The Need for Seon Meditation"

Jogye Order Hosts 'Month of Mind Peace' Press Conference
Robots to Join Lantern Parade on the 16th

"While material wealth has increased, our minds are unsettled; while information abounds, wisdom is lacking."

Jinwoo, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, is giving a greeting speech at the Jogye Order's 'Month of Mind Peace' press briefing held on the 7th at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Jinwoo, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, offered this diagnosis of contemporary society at the 'Month of Mind Peace' press conference held on May 7, 2026, at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Ahead of Buddha's Birthday, he highlighted the achievements of ongoing Buddhist cultural events and emphasized that Seon meditation and Buddhist culture should play a role in providing peace of mind to modern people fatigued by competition and conflict.

To commemorate Buddha's Birthday this year, the Jogye Order has been running its 'Month of Mind Peace' campaign since last month. A key feature is the reinterpretation of traditional Buddhist culture with a modern sensibility, making it easily accessible to young people and the general public.

The campaign has seen notable results. This year's Seoul International Buddhist Expo attracted approximately 250,000 visitors over four days, an increase of about 50,000 from last year. Among the attendees, 81.7% were Millennials & Gen Z, and around 40% identified as having no religion. The 'Heart Sutra Gong Party' held at Bongeunsa Temple gained attention online, particularly with rapper Woo Won-jae and DJ Soda participating.

The '2026 International Seon Meditation Conference' held in the Bongeunsa area drew about 50,000 participants over two days, with those in their 20s and 30s accounting for 55.9%. A total of 41 programs were organized under the theme 'Seon Meditation in the Age of AI,' and the 'Mind Prescription' program, which provided individualized meditation recommendations on-site, saw long lines of participants.

Lantern parade held around Jongno, Seoul. This year's Lotus Lantern Festival will start from Heunginjimun on the 16th, pass through Jonggak, and continue to Jogyesa Temple, with humanoid robots and autonomous robots also participating in the parade. Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Jinwoo stated, "Korean Buddhism is creating a dynamic and youthful wave of change by reinterpreting traditional values through a modern lens and engaging with young people," adding, "We will deliver the teachings of the Buddha in the most vivid language, attuned to the times." He continued, "This vibrant energy must flow warmly toward the less privileged and isolated members of society."

The highlight of the campaign will be the Yeondeunghoe lantern festival, set to take place in central Seoul on May 16 and 17. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Yeondeunghoe will begin with a lantern parade at 7 p.m. on May 16 from Heunginjimun, passing through Jonggak and culminating at Jogyesa Temple. Tens of thousands of parade lanterns and over 200 grand lanterns created by participating groups will light up the Jongno area.

This year's lantern parade will also feature humanoid robots and autonomous driving robots. As a symbolic gesture of leading in the AI era, the Jogye Order plans to include four humanoid robots and the autonomous robot 'Newbie' in the parade committee's procession. Lanterns from North Korean literature will be recreated, allowing North Korean defectors to join the parade.

On May 17, a traditional culture plaza will be set up around Ujeongguk-ro in front of Jogyesa Temple. Seven different zones—including the Seon Meditation Zone, Traditional Zone, Sharing Zone, International Zone, and Millennials & Gen Z Zone—will offer hands-on experiences of Buddhist culture, such as traditional crafts, meditation workshops, and temple food tasting. In the evening, the lantern festivities will continue along Insadong and the road in front of Jogyesa Temple.

Jinwoo Sunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, is giving a greeting at the Jogye Order's 'Peace of Mind Month' press conference held on the 7th at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News.

The 'Month of Mind Peace' will conclude with the Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony held on a special stage in front of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple on May 24. This year, the Jogye Order plans to invite people in need to the ceremony to share a message of unity.

Meanwhile, regarding the upcoming election for Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, Jinwoo remarked, "It is not appropriate to discuss the election issue ahead of Buddha's Birthday," and added, "As the current Chief Executive, it is my responsibility to manage the upcoming election in a stable manner and bring it to a smooth conclusion." He further stated that only when the order achieves stability and harmony can it address major challenges in the Buddhist community, such as the promotion of Seon meditation and the decline in the number of monastic candidates.

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