"Peace of Mind, Compassion in Action"... Ven. Jinwoo Begins Second Term as Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order

Inauguration Ceremony of the 38th Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order Draws 5,000 Participants

"From Stability to a New Century for Korean Buddhism"

Initiating a National Mind Movement with Seon Meditation

Families of Disaster Victims, Industrial Accident Survivors, and Migrant Workers Join the Event

Funds Donated to Nepal Relief and Social-Labor Affairs Committee

"Now, Korean Buddhism must not be confined within temple walls, but must become a Buddhism that enters into the pain of the world."

Jinwoo, who was inaugurated as the 38th Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order, is delivering his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News

Ven. Jinwoo, Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, has set the popularization of Seon meditation and "compassion in action" as his key priorities as he begins his second term. While the past four years focused on stabilizing the order, his vision for the next four years is to make Buddhism more deeply rooted within society.

At the inauguration ceremony for the 38th Chief Abbot, held on October 1, 2026, at a special stage at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Ven. Jinwoo said, "If the last four years were a time to lay the foundation for stability and new change in the order, now we must use that foundation to take a bold leap toward a new century for Korean Buddhism." About 5,000 people attended the ceremony, including Jogye Order elders, members of the Central Council, monks from head temples across the country, as well as leaders from neighboring Buddhist sects and religious communities.

In the 38th Chief Abbot election on September 3, 2026, Ven. Jinwoo was re-elected by receiving 183 votes out of 321 electoral delegates, defeating Ven. Gyoyu, who garnered 138 votes. This marks the first time in 13 years that a Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order has served consecutive terms since Ven. Jaseung. The new term began on September 28, 2026.

Jinwoo, the Chief Executive Monk of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is delivering his inaugural address at the 38th Chief Executive Monk Inauguration Ceremony held on the 1st at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The first central theme of his second term is "the mind." Ven. Jinwoo pointed out that despite advancements in science and material civilization, including artificial intelligence (AI), anxieties, loneliness, anger, and conflict among modern people are only growing. He emphasized, "Just as material civilization advances, it is an era that desperately needs spiritual advancement," and added, "Just as we exercise daily for physical health, we must also train the mind daily for mental well-being."

To this end, he unveiled a plan to spread Seon meditation beyond a religious practice to a "national mind movement." He proposed making Seon meditation accessible to anyone—regardless of religion or generation—in everyday spaces such as schools, workplaces, homes, and even in the military. He also suggested that the government, local authorities, civic groups, and other religious organizations join in the initiative.

Ven. Jinwoo also stressed the importance of the social practice of compassion. He said, "I will put compassion into action, not just words," adding, "I will take even more active steps for the socially disadvantaged, marginalized neighbors, the sick, and the lonely."

This message was clearly reflected in the composition of the ceremony itself. As Ven. Jinwoo and the Elder Council Chair entered, they were accompanied by the families of victims from the Sewol ferry disaster, the Itaewon disaster, and the Jeju Air passenger plane crash; families of industrial accident victims; labor union representatives for migrant workers; LGBTQ rights groups; and a KTX train attendant who was reinstated after 12 years. This scene symbolized the order's new direction for the second term: a Buddhism that enters the pain of the world.

Jinwoo, who took office as the 38th Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, is presenting a donation of 100,000 dollars for flood damage recovery in Nepal to Nirmal Prasad Batarai, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Nepal to Korea, at the inauguration ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 1st. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Ven. Jinwoo also delivered a relief fund of $100,000 (about 140 million won) for Nepal flood recovery to the acting Ambassador of Nepal to Korea. In addition, he provided 100 million won in funding to the Jogye Order's Social and Labor Affairs Committee, which has been active in labor and social work settings.

Within the order, he announced plans to strengthen both practice and welfare systems. Ven. Jinwoo declared that the order would establish a system that takes full responsibility—from ordination through education and training, mission work, welfare, and even parinirvana—so that monks can devote themselves to religious practice and propagation without worrying about daily life or old age. His goal is to create a "pure Sangha" that earns the respect and trust of the public.

He also listed reform as another major task for his second term. "I will consult with fairness, unite through empathy, and practice with impartiality," he said, pledging to listen broadly to the views of dioceses and members of the order. He further committed to fully communicate and convincingly explain the need for bold changes to outdated or unreasonable systems and practices. He made clear that harmony would not be used as an excuse to avoid necessary change.

Jinwoo, the 38th Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is seen with hands clasped at the inauguration ceremony held on the 1st at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. On this day, Jinwoo stated, "We will open a new century of Korean Buddhism, moving from stability to leap forward," presenting the popularization of Seon meditation and compassionate action as the main tasks for his second term. Joint coverage by Yonhap News Agency

He also cited the preservation and globalization of Buddhist cultural heritage as major priorities. The order plans to not only conserve traditional temples, cultural assets, temple forests, and practice culture, but also promote the spread of Korea’s Buddhist spiritual culture—such as templestay programs, Buddhist temple cuisine, and Seon meditation—into the daily lives of people worldwide.

Ven. Jinwoo said, "I will begin by listening from the lowest place. But when it comes to what must be done, I will not step back." He added, "I will open a new century for Korean Buddhism, progressing from stability to bold advancement." He continued, "I will devote all of my efforts so that the Buddha's enlightenment spreads throughout the world—bringing peace to the minds of our people, harmony to our society, and compassion and peace to the entire world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.