On January 14, Most Ven. Jinwoo, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, held the New Year’s press conference for the B.E. 2570 at the newly renovated Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall. He announced key policy tasks and project plans centered on ‘peace of mind.’ “This year marks the beginning of a new leap forward,” declared the president, adding, “We will seamlessly conclude the core tasks pursued by the 37th administration to firmly establish a solid foundation for Korean Buddhism to advance unwaveringly.”

Full Text of the New Year’s Press Conference

“Creating a world where we illuminate one another with compassion and wisdom.”

Respected citizens and members of the fourfold community, 

The New Year of the Fire Horse has dawned.

May its fiery energy burn away division and anxiety, becoming a lamp of wisdom that illuminates the hearts of those who suffer.

In my inaugural address as the new president of the Jogye Order in October 2022, I pledged to foster “a Buddhist community that lives solely by the Buddha's teachings, embraces the pain of all sentient beings, and becomes a friend to the world.” Today, as I begin the final year of my term, I reflect on yesterday, take responsibility for today, and look forward to tomorrow.

Inscribed on the one-pillar gate of Haeinsa Temple are the words, “Though a thousand eons pass, it never grows old; though ten thousand years pass, it remains ever present.” Buddhism must be a path of truth that attends to the suffering of our time, always rooted in the present, not a religion stuck in the past.

“In the age of AI and quantum science, peace of mind will be cultivated through Buddhism.”

Despite the dazzling advances in technology and material civilization, our lives have become ever more convenient thanks to cutting-edge science and AI. Yet the anxieties, anger, depression, and isolation—mental attachments and sufferings that science cannot resolve— are growing ever deeper. This is because the root of suffering lies in our own minds, which are gripped by attachment and discrimination, not in the external world. This does not mean that Buddhism withdraws from this vast technological civilization. Rather, we aim to fearlessly lead the AI era and redirect its achievements toward the path of attaining peace of mind and enlightenment.

Korean Buddhism will now lay the foundation for integrating the wisdom of Seon meditation and Buddhist practice with quantum science and artificial intelligence, to create a Buddhism that resonates with modern sensibilities and scientific thought.

Seon meditation is not merely a religious ritual but rather a form of mindfulness training that anyone can practice in daily life. The Jogye Order has achieved a significant milestone by protecting and enhancing the mental health of our citizens through Seon meditation in response to the demands of our time.

We will now establish Seon meditation as a spiritual civilization that embodies the mental peace and security of Korean citizens. We will strive to promote K-Seon meditation worldwide to cultivate peace everywhere. To this end, we plan to establish and operate the National Peace Seon Meditation Central Headquarters, which will lay the groundwork for Buddhists and all Koreans to practice Seon meditation daily.

“We stand with our neighbors suffering from social isolation.”

Our society has reached a point of extreme conflict because we prioritize self-interest over everything else, which exacerbates mutual anxiety and distrust. In this chaotic world, Buddhism's role is to promote harmony and unity, guided by the traditional wisdom of reconciliation and coexistence. Buddhist teachings are not confined to temple walls. It is a religion to be practiced in life, directly involved in liberating sentient beings from suffering, just as the Buddha taught.

Korean Buddhism will always stand by the people's side, especially the elderly, the disabled, the socially vulnerable, the youth, immigrants, and those suffering from mental illness. We will actively provide counseling, healing, and care for the welfare of these marginalized populations. This is not only Buddhism's duty but also the responsibility and role of all religions.

As Co-chair of the Korean Council of Religious Leaders, I will develop solutions that directly address the needs of the socially vulnerable and help prevent suicide and other pressing social issues through interfaith solidarity.

To ensure that all Koreans can enjoy the cultural resources and the outstanding natural surroundings of traditional Buddhist temples, the Jogye Order has collaborated with the government to eliminate admission fees for Buddhist cultural heritage sites, effective in 2023. Through this new system, more citizens can now experience the cultural riches and scenic beauty of traditional temples free of charge.

This year, we will actively consult with relevant government agencies to remove unreasonable conditions that restrict citizens’ access to temples. These changes will allow people to visit temples more comfortably, so that they can relax and find peace of mind more easily.

“We are building a young and dynamic Buddhism through friendliness and inclusivity.”

Last year, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism officially designated April and May as the “Buddhist Months of Peace in Mind” and allocated all of its resources to create a harmonious space where people of all ages and genders could come together in peace.

This year, we will actively engage with the public through various programs celebrating the Buddha's Birthday on May 24th. Preparations for these programs are already underway. They include the Buddhist Expo, the Global Seon Meditation Summit, the Ganhwa Seon Conference, and the Lotus Lantern Festival.

Last year, the Buddhist Expo, the nation's only comprehensive traditional cultural industry expo, greatly appealed to the sensibilities of the MZ generation with its Buddhist cultural content, sparking trends among them. This year, we plan to expand all Buddhist Expos, including those held regionally in Daegu and Busan. We plan to elevate them into global Buddhist events that showcase the excellence of Buddhist culture, creating a platform for exchanges and generational integration across the world's Buddhist cultural spheres, extending beyond Asia.

The new trends of “young Buddhism” and “hip Buddhism” are part of responses to the demands of our time. We will further systematize innovative outreach models that resonate with the younger generation, such as ‘I Go to Temple’ and ‘Youth Food Heart,’ to ensure that Buddhism becomes a close friend and sanctuary for young people. With specialized templestays tailored to different generations and social strata, focusing on mental healing, spiritual health, and respect for life, Korean Buddhism will support the Koreans weary from their busy lives by helping them find rest and peace of mind.

Last year, regional Dharma propagation rallies were held in the Incheon and Sejong areas, where all members of the fourfold sangha vowed to actively engage in outreach and seek ways to communicate and collaborate with local communities. This year, we will continue to convene regional gatherings to combine the capabilities of the Jogye Order, communicate with the public, and establish new pathways for social engagement.

“We will continue to enhance the value of our traditional cultural heritage.”

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism persists in its efforts to provide an appropriate shrine for the rock-faced Buddha located at Yeoam Valley, Mt. Namsan in Gyeongju. We are exploring various approaches to honoring the Buddha in a proper manner. The entire fourfold sangha will join in the ardent vow to find the optimal method to prepare for the next thousand years of Buddhist history.

Since opening last March, the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre in Yangpyeong has established itself as a leading facility for preserving and treating privately held cultural artefacts.

This year, the center is introducing state-of-the-art equipment for conservation treatments. We anticipate that this will cement its position as a key pillar in preserving Korea's cultural heritage. These treatments will reveal the historical, academic, and artistic value of cultural heritage items, allowing the public to better appreciate the value of traditional Buddhist culture.

In the face of climate change and environmental crises, Korea's natural ecosystems are playing an increasingly vital role. The forests surrounding traditional temples have been cultivated and preserved for over a thousand years and embody diverse ecological and cultural values.

The Jogye Order aims to raise awareness of these ecological resources and establish a foundation from which the public can benefit. By communicating with the government and the National Assembly, we will implement the revised Natural Parks Act, which will further enhance the cultural values of traditional temples and their forests, and develop plans for their conservation and utilization.

The various disasters and calamities that occurred last year, such as the forest fires in Gyeongsangbuk Province, the floods in Chungcheong Province, and the drought in Gangneung, were terrifying because they instantly took many lives and hopes away. Sadly, even traditional temples, some of which have been preserved intact for a thousand years, were not spared, as evidenced by the significant loss of national heritage at Goeunsa Temple.

Therefore, the order will establish safety systems tailored to the characteristics of each temple and specific disaster types. This will ensure that we can pass down our traditional Buddhist cultural heritage intact to future generations.

“We will establish a robust monastic community befitting the modern era.”

A graceful ending marks the beginning of a new leap forward. The Jogye Order will conclude the core initiatives of its 37th administration seamlessly, solidifying a firm foundation for Korean Buddhism to advance steadfastly. We will stabilize the systems implemented through last year’s organizational restructuring to invigorate propagation and educational policies.

The executive body of the Jogye Order will devote its full strength to stabilizing the financial foundation for the revival of Buddhism. We will build on Buddhism’s existing excellent resources and expand revenue-generating ventures through culture, education, Seon meditation, content, and tourism. These efforts will foster financial self-reliance and provide maximum benefits to the public. The revenues will be reinvested in society through practice, propagation, welfare, and education, creating a virtuous cycle of sharing with Buddhists and, ultimately, all citizens.

A longstanding tradition of Korean Buddhism is a community devoted to spiritual practice based on precepts, pure monastic rules, precept-recitation ceremonies, and collective deliberation. The Jogye Order will fulfill its mission of Buddhist revival by keeping pace with the rapid changes of modern society.

Through faith and harmony within the fourfold community, we will establish a proper culture of spiritual practice. Not only will we enhance essential Buddhist values, but we will also be reborn as a model of a modern lay practice community.

Education, in particular, shapes the future. We will cultivate Dharma propagation talents to lead the future of Buddhism, introduce a training system that honors the traditional spirit of practice while adapting to contemporary trends such as the utilization of AI, bridging the digital divide, and addressing social phenomena. The Jogye Order will prepare to engage not only Buddhists but also the general public, meeting them where they are. Furthermore, we will radically improve the welfare of the monastic sangha by establishing a comprehensive welfare system that securely covers the entire period from ordination to the entering of pari-nirvana and cremation. This will allow monastic members of the Jogye Order to devote themselves fully to practice and propagation.

B.E. 2570 is a pivotal year for our Order. Internally, this year features the election of the 38th president and the 19th Central Council members, and externally, nationwide local elections. The 37th administration will fulfill its duty to unite the fourfold sangha in accordance with the essential Buddhist operating principles of harmony and solidarity.

The Jogye Order will hold its elections with the utmost rigor, strictly adhering to its constitution and bylaws to ensure fairness. These elections will set an example for the Buddhist community, demonstrating the stability of the Jogye Order and paving the way for new beginnings and changes to emerge from a place of harmony. 

Dear fellow citizens and Buddhist friends,

When one person's heart grows brighter, it lights up the entire community's future. This year, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism will pay closer attention to quiet voices and prioritize supporting neighbors facing hardship.

Furthermore, the 37th administration vows to steadfastly and resolutely work toward peace of mind for all citizens.

January 14, B.E. 2570 (2026)

Most Ven. Jinwoo

President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism