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| Buddhist Jogye Order | |
|---|---|
| Name | Jogye Order |
| Native name | 조계종 |
| Founded | 1935 (reorganized), roots c. 9th century |
| Founder | tradition attributed to Korean Seon lineage |
| Headquarters | Jogyesa |
Buddhist Jogye Order is the largest Korean Seon Buddhism order, tracing institutional lineage to the Unified Silla and later developments in Goryeo and Joseon periods. It has been central to modern Korean religious life, interacting with Japanese occupation of Korea, Korean War, Syngman Rhee, and contemporary Republic of Korea politics.
The Order claims heritage from medieval Seon masters such as Beomnang, Doui, Wonhyo and Uisang while also integrating reform currents linked to Taego Bou, Gimyong and the 20th-century revival under figures connected to Han Yong-un and Jeong Yak-yong. During the Japanese occupation of Korea the Order faced institutional changes influenced by State Shinto policies and later reorganization after liberation, intersecting with events like the March 1st Movement and negotiations with United States Army Military Government in Korea. Post-1945 restructuring occurred amid the Korean War and the division of the peninsula, affecting relationships with organizations such as the Jogye Order's lay groups and international bodies including the World Fellowship of Buddhists.
The Order’s administration centers at Jogyesa in Seoul and comprises regional temple networks, monastic registries, and lay associations that interface with bodies like the Bulgyo Yesul Yeonhap and the Korean Buddhist Federation. Leadership roles have included the Supreme Patriarch and elected head abbot positions, whose selections have intersected with institutions such as Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (South Korea), National Assembly (South Korea), and civil organizations like the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace. The Order maintains relations with international monasteries in Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, United States, and networks including the World Buddhist Sangha Council.
Rooted in Seon (Korean Zen), the Order emphasizes meditation lineages associated with historical figures like Seosan Hyujeong and doctrinal texts such as the Platform Sutra and Avatamsaka Sutra. Ritual life includes liturgies based on the Dharani tradition, chanting of the Lotus Sutra, and ceremonies linked to calendars shared with Theravada and Mahayana communities. Monastic pedagogy engages studies of canonical works like the Heart Sutra, commentaries by Wonhyo, and ecumenical dialogues with scholars from Taisho Tripitaka projects and universities such as Sungkyunkwan University and Dongguk University.
Training follows vinaya-inflected routines adapted from historic codes like the Dharmaguptaka Vinaya and Korean monastic regulations formed during Joseon reforms. Novitiate and bhikkhu ordination pathways involve study at institutions akin to Buddhist Jogye Order Training Center and internships at major temples including Haein Temple, Tongdosa, and Bulguksa. Daily life combines zazen-style gyeongheo meditation, ritual services for rites of passage, and participation in community outreach programs modeled after initiatives by figures such as Shim Hye-jun and groups like the Korean Buddhist Youth Association.
Major temples under the Order steward national treasures such as the Tripitaka Koreana housed at Haeinsa (Haein Temple), stone pagodas at Bulguksa, and mural sites in Seokguram Grotto, connecting to heritage agencies like the Cultural Heritage Administration (South Korea). Temple architecture reflects influences from Unified Silla and Goryeo aesthetics, while temple festivals interact with folk traditions including Dano and Lotus Lantern Festival. The Order participates in preservation efforts with institutions such as the UNESCO and collaborates with museums like the National Museum of Korea.
The Order has engaged in social welfare through charities, medical clinics, and disaster relief tied to organizations like the Korean Red Cross and national responses to crises such as the Pohang earthquake and Sewol ferry disaster. Politically, its leaders have sometimes intersected with parties and figures including Park Chung-hee, Kim Dae-jung, and Moon Jae-in through public statements, mediation in labor disputes involving Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and participation in interfaith councils such as the National Council of Churches in Korea and Korean Conference of Religions for Peace.
The Order has faced controversies over matters involving temple assets, clerical conduct, and leadership elections that prompted legal action in the Seoul Central District Court and interventions from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (South Korea). Reform movements advocated by reformist monks and lay activists have referenced precedents from figures like Han Yong-un and drawn support from civic groups such as the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy. Recent internal reforms addressed transparency, celibacy norms, and financial governance in dialogues involving civil society organizations, media outlets including The Korea Herald and Yonhap News Agency, and international Buddhist networks such as the International Association of Buddhist Studies.
Category:Buddhist orders Category:Buddhism in South Korea