Biggest Buddhist Order Jogye Locked in Turmoil
By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
Korea's largest Buddhist congregation, the Jogye Order, is reeling from internal disputes.
The latest trouble stems from the order's attempt to take over one of its wealthiest affiliates.
Ven. Wondam, spokesman of the order, has issued a document warning Ven. Myeongjin, head of the Bongeun Temple in southern Seoul, to stop repeating accusations against Ven. Jaseung, head of the Central Council of the Jogye Order (CCJO). The spokesman dismissed "political allegations" regarding the order's reformation plan for the temple.
"At this time when we need unity, it is a shame that renowned figures like Myeongjin are making loud noises against harmony," he said.
Myeongjin, who heads the wealthiest of the 2,500 Jogye temples nationwide, said at a mass last Sunday that Jaseung shares a secret liaison with the Lee Myung-bak administration, which is attempting to "oust" him from the position.
"It is true that the religious groups always shared an understanding with the administration. Jaeseung has done nothing but mooch off political power and bring huge embarrassment to believers. I advise Jaseung to come clean and apologize for what he has done," he said.
The monk revealed to the 2,500 attendees that Jaseung supported the current President during his presidential election campaign and recently tried to help him win Buddhists' hearts over the ultra-sensitive Sejong City relocation plan. "However, for the past several years, the Lee Myung-bak administration has attempted to persecute Buddhists because of their bias toward Christianity," he said.
The head of the order's "cashbox" temple confronted the leadership of the CCJO, after the controlling body decided to restructure its management earlier this month. Under the so-called "direct management" of the council, the CCJO chairman would become the head of the temple and the role of head monk would be reduced to managing its assets. Also, the four-year the term of head monk would no longer be guaranteed.
Analysts initially assumed that the reformation was to secure more cash.
However, Myeongjin disclosed in his March 21 sermon that it was Rep. Ahn Sang-soo, GNP floor leader, who had pushed the council to get rid of the "liberal" monk. Though both Ahn and Jaseung denied the allegations, another Jogye Order official stepped up to confirm the fact, fueling the friction.
Wondam said Monday that Myeongjin should refrain from "making a political fuss out of nothing."
"The President's brother visited the temple during the campaign period but it was to talk about the underground parking lot the Order has been longing to have. There was no mention of the political issues.
"Jaseung met the heads of temples in Chungcheong Province, but they were annual meetings. Much later a Presidential aide joined to 'brief' on the current governmental project but there was no recommendation or any campaign," he said.
"It is very dangerous to disgrace the CCJO head. Myeongjin should take the Order's decision as it is, without any political assumption or complaints," he said.
Myeongjin earlier said he is ready to leave the temple if his allegations turn out to be false.
조계종 봉은사 사태로 `몸살’
한국 최대 불교종단인 조계종이 봉은사 사태로 몸살을 앓고 있다.
조계종 대변인 원담스님은 봉은사 주지인 명진스님에게 자승 종정에 대한 비난을 중단하라고 경고했다.
원담스님은 ``단결이 필요한 이때 명진스님 같은 분이 화합을 해치는 발언을 하는 것은 부끄러운 일’’이라고 말했다.
25,00여개 조계종 소속 사찰 중 가장 부유한 봉은사를 이끌고 있는 명진스님은 28일 법회에서 자승스님이 자신을 몰아내려는 이명박 정권과 비밀관계를 공유하고 있다고 주장했다.
명진스님은 ``종교단체가 항상 정부와 이해를 같이 한게 사실이다. 자승은 정치세력에 기대어 신도들을 당황하게 만들고 있다. 자승은 과거를 털고 자신의 행위에 대해 사과해야 한다’’고 말했다.