Jogye Order

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (), often shortened to Jogye Order (조계종), is a sect of Korean Buddhism. It is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea with 2,800 temples and 12,000 monks as of 2011. Although the order has its roots in late Silla, its modern form was established in 1962. Its principal scripture is the Diamond Sutra and its followers practice hwadu (koan) meditation.

History

The order takes its name from Mount Caoxi where Huineng, the sixth patriarch of Chan Buddhism resided. It has its roots in the Nine mountain schools established in late Silla. Its founder is thought to be Doui who first brought Seon (Zen) to Korea. Jinul is thought to be the Prospering Patriach (중천조) and is thought to be the Reviving Patriarch (중흥조).

Goryeo

The Nine mountain schools were reorganized into the Jogye Order and began to prosper under the leadership of Jinul. Jinul promoted the principle of (sudden enlightenment followed by gradual cultivation), emphasizing meditation as well as studying the Sutra. The order gained support from the Goryeo military regime due to its emphasis on continuous discipline and became a unique and indigenous Buddhist practice.

Joseon

Joseon implemented policies that promoted Confucianism and suppressed Buddhism for centuries such as banning monks from entering the capital. During the reign of Prince Yeonsan, Jogye Order faced persecution. Nevertheless, Buddhism was preserved in sansa through the efforts of eminent monks such as Hyujeong and Yujeong during the Imjin War. Monks were permitted to enter the capital after the 1895 Kabo Reform. In 1955, the Jogye Order centered on bhikkus (unmarried monks) was established. Through mediation by eminent monks and the government, daecheoseung were tolerated and in 1962, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism was officially established.

During the October 27th Buddhist Persecution in 1980, the Chun Doo-hwan government arrested and investigated monks and personnel of the Jogye Order in order to "purify the Buddhist community". 153 people were arrested and investigated on October 27 and another 1,776 people were arrested three days later. The real reason of the incident is thought to be that the headquarter of the order had visited Gwangju to support the victims of the Gwangju Uprising and launched its own purification campaign. It is considered an abuse of state power under martial law and violation of religious freedom.

In 1994, Ven. Uihyeon, the president at that time, attempted to secure a third consecutive term although the constitution of the order (종헌) did not clearly state whether the president could be elected three times. Consequently, young monks formed the Pan-Sangha Order Reform Promotion Committee (범승가종단개혁추진회) in 1994 and launched efforts to block his reappointment and reform the order. When it was later revealed that the headquarters hired thugs to enforce the election, the incident became a nationwide issue. The committee later established a reform council and rooted out corrupt monks.

21st century

To globalize Korean Buddhism, the order founded the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism (한국불교문화사업단) in 2004 and launched various programs such as Templestay and training of foreign monks.

Religious characteristics

The principal scriptures of the Jogye Order are the Diamond Sutra and Dharma Words of the Transmission of the Lamp (전등법어; 傳燈法語). Meanwhile, the order acknowledges the tradition of syncretic Buddhism (통불교) that incorporates Huayan, Pure Land Buddhism, and Vajrayana and thus does not restrict the study of other scriptures and practice such as nianfo and chants. The abbot (주지) of a head temple represents the temple and is appointed by the president after being elected.

Parish 1: Jogyesa (Jongno, Seoul)
Parish 2: Yongjusa (Hwaseong, Gyeonggi)
Parish 3: Sinheungsa (Sokcho, Gangwon)
Parish 4: Woljeongsa (Pyeongchang, Gangwon)
Parish 5: Beopjusa (Boeun, North Chungcheong)
Parish 6: Magoksa (Gongju, South Chungcheong)
Parish 7: Sudeoksa (Yesan, South Chungcheong)
Parish 8: Jikjisa (Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang)
Parish 9: Donghwasa (Dong District, Daegu)
Parish 10: Eunhaesa (Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang)
Parish 11: Bulguksa (Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang)
Parish 12: Haeinsa (Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang)
Parish 13: Ssanggyesa (Hadong, South Gyeongsang)

Parish 14: Beomeosa (Geumjeong, Busan)
Parish 15: Tongdosa (Yangsan, South Gyeongsang)
Parish 16: Gounsa (Uiseong, North Gyeongsang)
Parish 17: Geumsansa (Gimje, North Jeolla)
Parish 18: Baegyangsa (Jangseong, South Jeolla)
Parish 19: Hwaeomsa (Gurye, South Jeolla)
Parish 20: Seonamsa (Suncheon, South Jeolla)
Parish 21: Songgwangsa (Suncheon, South Jeolla)
Parish 22: Daeheungsa (Haenam, South Jeolla)
Parish 23: Gwaneumsa (Jeju City, Jeju Province)
Parish 24: Seonunsa (Gochang, North Jeolla)
Parish 25: Bongseonsa (Namyangju, Gyeonggi)

Philanthropy

In 1995, Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation was established. It has provided disaster relief to victims of the 2005 Sri Lanka earthquake, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and 2014 Sinking of MV Sewol. According to a 2021 survey, 80% of temples of the order have helped the local community such as supporting low-income households.

Criticism and controversies

President election

As the president is elected by indirect vote, vote buying and black propaganda became a problem. A direct election system which better reflects the views of the Buddhist community and an enthronement system which reduces black propaganda have been proposed as alternatives.

Ahead of the 1998 president election, tensions escalated over Ven. Wolju’s bid for a third term, leading to violent clashes within the order. The situation was eventually brought to an end through police intervention based on a court ruling. The incident was also reported by international media such as BBC.

Misconduct of monks

In more recent years, the Jogye Order has been beset with scandals involving gambling and sexual misconduct.

Affiliated organizations

Bulgyo Sinmun

Jogye Order founded the Buddhist newspaper Daehan Bulgyo on January 1, 1960 after realizing the importance of missionary work through documents. It was forcibly shut down by the government in 1980 in part because of the October 27th Buddhist Persecution. When it was revived on December 21 in the same year, it changed its name to Bulgyo Sinmun.

Schools

As of 2003, the Jogye Order operates 24 schools.

Dongguk University
: Private university established in 1979 to teach and research Buddhism

Neungin High School