Venerable Jungnyum, the abbot of Woljeongsa Temple in Odaesan, Gangwon Province, has indirectly expressed his intention to run in the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism's election for head of the Executive Office, scheduled for September.
At a press conference held Wednesday at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for the launch of the 'Eminent Monks of Odaesan' book series, Venerable Jungnyum addressed questions about his candidacy. "I have received many suggestions from those around me, but the current head of the Executive Office still has time remaining in his term, and the order has an election schedule according to its regulations," he said. "I am considering various circumstances as it could harm the order's harmony or be viewed negatively," he added. "I believe I can take a full position according to the election law when there is a form to meet the public's wishes and when solidarity among many people is achieved."
Venerable Jungnyum particularly emphasized that the order needs new leadership. "At this civilizational turning point where artificial intelligence is coming like a tsunami, there is widespread concern and hope that Buddhism should also move toward a new direction of hope," he said. "Leadership in the order that responds to this is needed, but it is not easy with habitual practices and systems." He continued, "The aspirations of the public must come together to establish and present new changes and hopeful directions. With the election for head of the Executive Office not far away, I think such a direction will gradually be presented."
He expressed a negative view on some opinions suggesting the head of the Jogye Order should be selected by recommendation rather than election. "A recommendation that all members of the order can agree to would be meaningful, but a recommendation to maintain the vested interests of some would not lead to leadership capable of embracing new changes," Venerable Jungnyum said.
The current head of the Jogye Order's Executive Office, Venerable Jinwoo, expressed a cautious stance regarding re-election at a New Year's press conference in January, saying, "It's not something that happens just because you want it, nor is it a problem that's solved by avoiding it." Venerable Jinwoo's term runs until September 27.
Meanwhile, Woljeongsa Temple and Minjoksa Publishing announced plans to publish a 10-volume 'Eminent Monks of Odaesan' book series, systematically documenting Odaesan's practice traditions from the Silla Dynasty to modern times. Three volumes—'National Preceptor Jajang,' 'National Preceptor Beomil,' and 'Master Naong'—were released in this first round, with plans to complete all volumes including 'Master Tanheo' and 'Master Manhwa' by the first half of next year.
