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Jogye Order

Korean Buddhist order

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Through Korea under Japanese rule

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The order's principal scripture is the Diamond Sutra and its followers practice ganhwaseon meditation, while it also accepts other Buddhist practices. Today, it operates 25 parishes and promotes Korean Buddhism globally through programs such as Templestay. However, it has faced controversies involving misconduct of some monks.

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 Unified Silla. Its founder (종조) is thought to be Doui who first brought Seon (Zen) to Korea. Jinul is thought to be the Prospering Patriach (중천조) and Bou 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 donojeomsu (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.

Japanese colonial period

Buddhists tried to rebuild Buddhist sects and expand Buddhism into cities through the establishment of Won Order and Imje Order, but these attempts were suppressed by Japanese colonial authorities. In response, eminent monks such as Jinjong and Manhae resisted Japanese rule and the movement to establish an independent Buddhist order continued such as the founding of Seonhakwon in 1921. The movement to establish a principal temple (총본산) was launched in 1937 and the daeungjeon of Taegosa (present-day Jogyesa) was constructed in 1938. However, the Japanese colonial authorities supported the movement, which led to the order later cooperating with Japan's militarism. In 1941, the Jogye Order of Joseon Buddhism (조선불교조계종), the predecessor of Jogye Order, was established.

20th century after liberation

After the liberation of Korea, the Buddhism purification movement took place from 1954 to 1962 to restore Korean Buddhist traditions and root out daecheoseung (married monks) who appeared during the colonial period when the Japanese forced Buddhist monks to marry. 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. However, in 1970, daecheoseung created a separate Buddhist Order (Taego Order).

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, promotion of Korean temple cuisine, and training of foreign monks. In the 2000s, the order helped restore Singyesa in North Korea.

In a 2018 survey, the Association of Korean Buddhist Orders reported that the order has 3,185 temples, 13,327 monks, and 12 million followers, making it the largest Buddhist sect in South Korea. However, as of 2017, the order has 260,000 registered followers. As of 2026, the supreme patriarch (종정) is Ven. Seongpa and the president (총무원장) is Ven. Jinu.

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