Launch of the 36th Administrative Council​



 

Heralding a powerful beginning of an era under the banner of innovation and change at the New Year’s press conference
 

Ven. Wonhang, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, has officially declared the launch of the 36th Administrative Council, heralding a powerful beginning of an era under the banner of innovation and change at the New Year’s press conference held on January 16, 2019, or Buddhist Era 2563, in the 4th floor lobby of Korean Buddhist History and Culture Museum. He vowed that he would be doing his best for the Buddhist community to contribute to the settling of a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsular and at the same time open a new chapter for the future of the Korean Buddhism through harmony and unity. 

 

Establish the Grand Centennial Project Headquarters as a strategic base and launch the Innovation and Harmony Committee
 

First of all, the 36th Administrative Council will establish the Grand Centennial Project Headquarters as a central strategic base to ensure the Jogye Order’s future. Ven. Wonhang said that he “will make sure to keep my ears open so that no Buddhist voice would be left unheard and come up with a new direction needed to innovate and pass on to our traditional culture to the next generation, and added, “concerted efforts will be made on all fronts for the reform of spiritual practices and the successful propagation of the Buddhism.  

Establish Comprehensive Monastic Welfare System
 

He also announced during the press conference that there will be major changes aimed to reform and reinforce the welfare system for the Jogye Order monastics. Ven. Wonhang stressed that one of the reasons for the very existence of the Order is to “support the monks and nuns so that they can practice and propagate the Buddhism without being hampered by hesitation or doubt.” In order to achieve this end, he said his team will conduct a nation-wide research on the current status of the monastics’ welfare system; draw up the blueprint for the creation of an innovative and comprehensive monastic welfare system; work together with regional districts to raise the order-wide funds; reimburse the full amounts of National Pension premium for all monks and nuns, and; support proactive health check-ups to provide improved preventive medical services.   
 

Three Major Jogye Order Projects, including Construction of the Memorial Hall commemorating October 27th Prosecution of Buddhism
 

Ven. Wonhang also promised to achieve visible progress in bringing about concrete results in the three major Jogye Order projects, including the construction of the memorial hall commemorating October 27th Prosecution of Buddhism, which was halted over the issues regarding the purchase of the land. He pledged “to come to the final decision regarding the change of the location as swiftly as possible so that the project will move ahead,” and “pay particular attention so that nothing would be amiss to ensure the ground will be broken to start the construction of the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Preservation Center in Wirae and the Traditional Cultural Center in Sejong City within this year.“ 
 

Promote South-North Buddhist Exchanges, including Templestay at Singye-sa Temple in Mt. Geumgang
 

The South-North Buddhist exchange was another topic Ven. Wonhang has been committed to since his inauguration. He said, “Next month, a joint New Year’s event will be held in Mt. Geumgang, which I hope to serve as yet another opportunity where the Jogye Order can discuss measures to further cooperation and exchanges with our North Korean counterparts from Korea Buddhist Federation.” Included in the discussion will be installing templestay programs and South Korean monastics and the construction of facilities at Singye-sa Temple in Mt. Geumgang. One of the most immediate example of such measures will be inviting the members of Korea Buddhist Federation to coordinate Buddha’s birthday events together in Pyeongyang and Seoul, including lotus lantern festivals, congratulatory Dharma ceremonies and a lantern exhibition, where traditional lanterns from both the South and the North will be displayed. 
 

Promoting the Reform of Temple related Government Regulations and National Park System
 

He also addressed recent concerns among Korean Buddhists that the government policies toward the Buddhism have been unilaterally made without due consultation from the community. Ven. Wonhang call for the Korean government to desist from such policy-making immediately, saying “the Korean Buddhism has protected and preserved Korea’s traditional culture unceasingly throughout Korea’s history and will continue to play that role, which is one of the pivotal roles the government should fulfill according to the Constitution,” and continued, “It would be only right for the government to support the Order in undertaking this constitutional task, and to take a forward-looking approach to the overhaul of the National Park Law and the reform of the Regional Tax Ordinances unfavorable to the Buddhist community.“
 

In commemoration of the centennial anniversary of March 1st Movement, the Jogye Order will host a variety of order-wide events such as Dharma ceremonies, bell tolling ceremonies and the seminars and conferences where the role of the Buddhism in the fight for Korea’s independence will be explored in a new light.
 

Concluding the press conference, Ven. Wonhang quoted a poem by Master Seosan: 

When you walk across a field blanketed with snow,

You ought to know better than to meander,

For your footsteps today will

Serve as wayposts for those who follow you.
 

He vowed to use this poem as his waypost in “doing my utmost as the president of the Jogye Order to promote unity and innovation, keep the light of hope bright for the future of Korean Buddhism, and continue to ardently devote myself to practice in an effort to renew myself as I firmly believe there will be no reform of the Order without my personal growth and change.” ​