The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, South Korea’s largest Buddhist order, has announced that it will host the “2024 International Seon Meditation Convention for Peace of Mind, Peace of the World” in September, with the president of the order urging: “Let’s show the true face of Buddhism” at the event.
The Jogye Order held its Council Meeting of the Abbots of the Headquarters Temples at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall on 4 July, where the order’s president, Venerable Jinwoo, who took office in 2022,* called for the participation of the entire four-fold sangha in the convention to showcase the 1700-year history and tradition of Korean Buddhism.
“We want to impress the whole nation with the sacred and majestic Buddhist rituals and win their trust more firmly,” Ven. Jinwoo was quoted as saying in an announcement shared with BDG. “And in September, we intend to hold a national-scale Supreme Buddhist Assembly.”
The Jogye Order is a school of Seon (Zen) Buddhism that traces its roots back 1,200 years to the Unified Silla (also known as the Later Silla) kingdom (668–935). The Jogye school as a distinct entity emerged in the late 11th century when the monk Bojo Jinul, credited as the school’s founder, sought to combine Seon practices with the theological underpinnings of sutra-based Buddhist schools, including Korean Pure Land Buddhism. The order now represents the largest segment of South Korea’s Buddhist population, administering about 1,900 active temples, more than 13,000 monastics, and seven million lay followers nationwide.
“A special stage will be set up in Gwanghwamun Plaza and Uijeongbu Historic Square from 23–28 September to hold the 2024 International Seon Meditation Convention for Peace of Mind, Peace of the World,” the Jogye Order explained. “The first national Buddhist event to be organized under the auspices of Master Jungbong Seonpa, Daejongsa, the supreme patriarch of the Jogye Order, with the aim of praying for the nation’s happiness as well as world peace, the event will consist of a traditional culture exhibition and experience event, the precept-reception ceremony, offerings to the sangha, an international Seon meditation convention, and a national music concert.”
The Jogye Order noted that one the the highlights of the occasion would be held on 28 September, when Ven. Jinwoo will present a video introducing Seon meditation and practice together with the gathering.
“Earlier in the day, at 2 p.m., a precept-reception ceremony will be officiated to initiate more than 30,000 Buddhists nationwide at the same time,” the Jogye Order added. “[This will] be followed by offerings to senior members of the monastic sangha at 3 p.m. in celebration of the Buddhist spirituality. At 7 p.m., a concert will be held to pray for national unity, harmony, and peace.”
Several internationally renowned meditation practitioners will be in attendance, including: Dr. Thubten Jinpa, Tibetan Buddhist scholar, longtime English translator for His Holiness the Dalai Lama; author and philanthropist Chade-Meng Tan, a meditation leader and former software engineer for Google; and American Zen Buddhist teacher, ecologist, civil rights activist, and author Joan Halifax.
As part of the the convention, festivals celebrating the contemplative tradition will be held across the country simultaneously from 28–30 September, including an event for young people and foreigners at JustBe Temple in Seoul, and another for artists in Busan, the Jogye Order noted. From 25–27 September, traditional cultural exhibitions will also be held around Uijeongbuji Historic Square in Seoul, where attendees can join in a range of activities and experiences offered at exhibition booths amid a colorful display of traditional Korean paper lanterns.
According to survey data from 2021, the majority of South Korea’s population—60 per cent—holds no religious affiliation. Christians make up the largest religious segment of the population at 23 per cent, while Buddhists account for 16 per cent.
* New Head of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Takes Office (BDG)
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Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism
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