Woljeongsa Temple Head Monk Hints at Run for Jogye Order Supreme Patriarch

The impending election for the Jogye Order's 38th Supreme Patriarch has gained significant momentum with the potential candidacy of Ven. Jeongnyeom, the esteemed head monk of Woljeongsa Temple. In a recent press conference announcing the publication of a series on "Eminent Monks of Odaesan," Ven. Jeongnyeom articulated a vision for the future of Korean Buddhism, emphasizing the urgent need for transformative leadership. He spoke of navigating the "tsunami of artificial intelligence" and the "great transition" era, suggesting that the order must break free from conventional practices to forge a new path toward hope.

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We are facing a great transition era where the tsunami of artificial intelligence is sweeping in. In such a crisis, shouldn't our Buddhist community also move in a new direction of hope, breaking away from existing conventional practices? There is considerable concern and desire among the followers.

Ven. Jeongnyeom's remarks suggest a deep concern for the relevance and adaptability of Buddhist institutions in the face of rapid societal and technological changes. His call for a leadership that can "set a new direction for a hopeful Buddhism" by harnessing the "aspirations of the followers" points to a desire for a more responsive and dynamic Sangha. He critically noted that "many aspects of our order's culture are very insufficient in elevating the devotion of the followers" and expressed a wish for the order to "do a good job with brand design in terms of institutional aspects and looking towards the future."

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Leadership is needed for this, and that leadership will not be easy with the existing conventional system. If the aspirations of the masses gather, a foundation for setting a new direction for a hopeful Buddhism together will be presented.

The Ven. Jeongnyeom also addressed the crucial issue of leadership selection, advocating for "procedural legitimacy" and "democratic" processes. He cautioned against leadership structures that might be formed through "unchallenged" or "traditional" means, arguing that such methods would hinder the formation of leadership capable of adapting to the "trends of the times." His emphasis on "enhancing the democratic transparency of temples" further underscores a commitment to modernizing the governance of the Jogye Order, ensuring accountability and inclusivity in its operations. While he stopped short of a definitive declaration, his statements strongly signal his readiness to contest the election and lead the order through a period of profound change.

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Many aspects of our order's culture are very insufficient in elevating the devotion of the followers. I hope the order does a good job with brand design in terms of institutional aspects and looking towards the future.