On April 1, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism held the opening ceremony of the 2025 International Seon Meditation Summit at Maitreya Square in Bongeunsa Temple. The event was attended by more than 1,000 people, including Most Ven. Jinwoo, President of the Jogye Order, distinguished venerables of the Jogye Order, members of the overseas monastic sanghas, including the 8th Khentser Rinpoche of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism, prominent politicians, and high level government officials.

“Seon meditation involves concentration and insight meditation based on Samatha and Vipassana as practised in the time of the Buddha,” said Most Ven. Jinwoo in his opening remarks. “Seon Meditation has inherited and developed the spirit and wisdom of Ganhwa Seon, a traditional Korean Buddhist practice, in a modern way, making it easy for everyone in the modern world.”

“Seon Meditation is becoming the most effective way to find inner peace in the busy lives of modern people, eliminating suffering and helping the mind relax,” continued the president of the Jogye Order, “This year, we will do our best to make meditation accessible to everyone in their daily lives through the '5 Minute Meditation Campaign'.”

The 2025 International Seon Meditation Summit will be followed by "Regional Seon Meditation Festivals" to be held from May to September at local temples in Incheon, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungcheong, Daegu, Gyeongbuk, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, Jeonbuk, and Jeonnam, and will conclude with the International Conference in October at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul.