Diplomacy Journal Kim Tae Yeon | Ven. Jinwoo, the incumbent President of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, has been elected as the 38th president, successfully securing a consecutive term. The Central Election Commission of the Jogye Order announced on the 3rd that Ven. Jinwoo, Candidate Number 3, was elected with 183 votes in the election for the 38th President held at the Traditional Culture and Arts Performance Hall of the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in the Jongno-gu Ward in Seoul.

All 321 members of the electoral college participated in this election, including 81 members of the Central Council and 240 diocesan electors elected from 24 diocesan headquarters nationwide. Candidate No. 1, Venerable Gyeongu, received 138 votes, with no invalid votes. Venerable Jinu secured a majority, defeating Venerable Gyeongu by 45 votes.

With this election, Venerable Jinu will serve consecutive terms as the 38th President of the Jogye Order, following his tenure as the 37th. This marks the first time in 13 years that an incumbent President of the Jogye Order has successfully served a consecutive term, the last being Venerable Jaseung, who was re-elected as the 34th President in 2013. It is also the second instance of a consecutive term since the Order's reform in 1994.

“A New Leap Forward Based on the Stability and Harmony of the Order”:
In his acceptance speech, Venerable Jinu expressed his gratitude to the Supreme Patriarch, the Venerable Elders, the abbots of diocesan headquarters, the electoral college, members of the Central Council, and the entire Buddhist community across the nation.

Venerable Jinu stated, “I will accept today’s choice not as support for an individual, but as a solemn mandate to achieve a new leap forward for Korean Buddhism based on the stability and harmony of the Order.” He continued by emphasizing, “I will cherish all the relationships and opinions formed during the election process and listen with even greater humility so that no one is left out,” and added, “I will open up the future of the Order together with the dioceses and the fourfold assembly.”

Venerable Jinu also stated, “I will try to gather public consensus, become one through empathy, and act with a selfless heart,” and added, “I will devote my utmost efforts to ushering in a new century for Korean Buddhism by making the Sangha more dignified, the Order more stable, and Buddhism more youthful and dynamic.”

Representative of the Order and oversight of religious administration, immense authority and responsibility:
According to the Order’s constitution, the President of the Jogye Order is the highest administrative official who represents the Order and oversees its administrative affairs.

To become the President, one must meet the qualifications of a Bhikkhu with at least 30 years of monastic experience, at least 50 years of age, and a Dharma rank of Jongsa or higher.

The President of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order manages diocesan headquarters nationwide, such as Haeinsa, Tongdosa, and Songgwangsa, as well as approximately 3,000 temples, in accordance with the Order's Constitution and Bylaws. The President holds the authority to appoint and dismiss the Chief Abbots of the General Administration and the Head of the General Administration.

The President supervises the assets of the Order and its temples, exercises the right to approve the disposal of major assets, and possesses the authority to approve and adjust the budgets of important temples, including directly managed temples and temples with special contributions.

In addition, the President serves as the ex officio Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jungang Sangha University, the ex officio President of the Council of Korean Buddhist Orders, and the Co-Chair of the Council of Religious Leaders of Korea, performing a role representing the Korean Buddhist and religious communities.

Rental by the Council of Elders on the 4th, term begins on the 28th:
The Jogye Order will hold a meeting of the Council of Elders at 2 p.m. on the 4th to proceed with the ratification process for the president-elect of the 38th General Administration. The Order's Constitution stipulates that the president-elect, chosen by the electoral college, must assume office following ratification by the Council of Elders. Upon ratification by the Council of Elders, Ven. Jinwoo will begin his second four-year term as the 38th President of the Jogye Order on September 28.

Ven. Jinwoo entered monastic life under the tutelage of Ven. Baegun. He received the Sramanera precepts in 1978 at Bohyeon-sa Temple with Ven. Gwaneung as the preceptor, and the Full Ordination precepts in 1998 at Tongdo-sa Temple with Ven. Cheongha as the preceptor.

He has served as the abbot of Sinheung-sa, Yongheung-sa, and Baekyang-sa Temples, as well as holding positions such as the Chief of the Jogye Order Secretariat, Head of the Department of Dharma Protection, Head of the Planning Office, Head of the General Affairs Department, Acting President of the Jogye Order, President of the Buddhist Newspaper, and the 8th President of the Education Institute.

He took office as the 37th President in 2022 and has led the administration of the Order ever since.

During his second term, key tasks are expected to emerge, including strengthening diocesan authority, improving the welfare of monks and nuns, elevating the status of Bhikkhunī, reforming the election system for the President, spreading a culture of meditation and practice, and globalizing K-Buddhism.

Attention is focused on whether Ven. Jinwoo will achieve harmony within the Buddhist order and lay a new foundation for the growth of Korean Buddhism, based on the slogan "From Stability to Leap Forward" presented during the election process.