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Chief Monk of Beopheungsa Temple Passes Away at 76
🇰🇷 South Korea /Culture & Society

Chief Monk of Beopheungsa Temple Passes Away at 76

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Ven. Daeungdang Sambo Daejongsa, the head monk of Beopheungsa Temple in Yeongwol, South Korea, passed away at the age of 76.
  • He had a monastic career of 61 years and served as head monk at other temples and as a foundation director for Dongguk University.
  • A veteran of the Vietnam War, he was injured during service and received the Hwarang Order of Military Merit.

The Venerable Daeungdang Sambo Daejongsa, chief monk of Beopheungsa Temple in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, South Korea, passed away on May 27th. He was 76 years old and had been a monk for 61 years.

Throughout his extensive monastic career, Sambo Daejongsa held significant positions, including chief monk at Sangwonsa and Woljeongsa temples on Odaesan Mountain. He also served as a director on the board of Dongguk University, a prominent Buddhist institution.

Sambo Daejongsa's path to monastic life began in 1965 when, as a middle school student, he visited Woljeongsa Temple and was inspired by the teachings of the Venerable Seungsahn. He officially entered the monastic order thereafter.

Before his full dedication to religious life, Sambo Daejongsa served as a Marine in the Vietnam War. He was wounded during his service and was awarded the Hwarang Order of Military Merit for his contributions. His funeral rites will be held at Woljeongsa Temple's Hwaeomru Hall, with the final ceremony scheduled for May 29th.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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