Some unethical religious leaders spark cynicism

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By Kang Hyun-kyung

Religious leaders, together with faith-based organizations, have occasionally become caught in an expectation game.

They're expected by the public to play the role of a guiding light, especially when things are difficult, such as during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the reality is that religious leaders becoming a source of comfort for pandemic-weary people seems to be no more than wishful thinking. Some religious leaders have ignited the wrath of the public for living far more materialistic lives than those of their followers.

Ven. Haemin found himself in the spotlight again recently for his questionable financial activities.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Thursday, he, along with a foreign national whose name was not disclosed for privacy reasons, owns an apartment in Brooklyn, New York which he purchased in May 2011 under his real name Ryan Bongseok Joo. The two paid $610,000 to purchase the home. The housing contract was signed about a decade after Haemin was ordained as a Buddhist monk affiliated with the nation's largest Buddhist sect, the Jogye Order.

Like his home in Seoul which was publicized on cable network tvN in November, his Brooklyn apartment is another property with a view, this one overlooking the serene East River.

The revelation of his behavior earned him the tongue-in-cheek nickname “The monk who has it all,” in contradiction of what he preaches publicly ― the merits of forgoing worldly possessions.

The remarks he made years ago have come back to haunt him after he was caught in a controversy recently for his “materialistic” lifestyle, far from the supposed frugality he promoted.

Speaking of the Korean-born world-class soprano Soomi Jo, he said he saw the opera singer appear in several different dresses over the course of one concert, but he only purchased a muffler costing 10,000 won (less than $10) to dress up for his public speech. He mentioned this in order to somehow underline his frugality.

Regarding the news about his New York apartment, Haemin said he was sorry for causing a stir again. “From now on, I'll try to live up to my commitments as a Buddhist monk,” he said in a media interview. He said he didn't respond to the latest controversy right away, partly because he felt ashamed about the way he had led his life and partly because he was scared of the simmering public anger directed at him.

Cynicism about Haemin is on the rise on the internet. One internet user wrote, “He chose to become a Buddhist monk but lived a worldly life that is no different from non-religious people. What's worse is he preached a philosophy of non-possession.” Another encouraged Haemin to donate his entire fortune to charitable causes and practice what he preached.

But some have tried to defend the Buddhist teacher, saying he needs a home to live in and thus having his own house shouldn't open him up to criticism.

Ven. Jigyeya, a Buddhist monk affiliated with the Taego Order, which is one of Korea's four major Buddhist sects and one which allows its monks to marry and have children, is critical of Haemin. He said it was inappropriate for religious leaders to accumulate wealth for their own sake or to hand down that wealth to their children.

“Making a fortune is not what religious leaders are supposed to do. If they have money, they can use or donate it to fulfill the purposes fitting the teaching of Buddha,” he told The Korea Times over the phone.

Ven. Jigyeya, who has been active in suicide prevention programs, deplored the recurring scandals involving religious leaders.

“No matter what religion they represent, all religious leaders should lead their lives in accordance with the teachings of their religion. But what we've seen recently is the opposite. Religious leaders are supposed to offer consolation to people who are struggling. It's regrettable that instead they are igniting the public's anger,” he said.

The controversy surrounding Ven. Haemin, ironically, is reminiscent of another Buddhist monk, Ven. Seok Yong-san, who has gradually faded from public memory after his turbulent scandal in the 1990s.

Like Haemin, Ven. Seok was also a best-selling author. He rose to prominence after his essay collection, “Hey, What Are You Going to Take With You When You Die?” was a sensational success. Over 1.5 million copies were sold.

He was later found to have been involved in various illicit activities. Seok was known to be a sex offender having raped a magazine writer after getting her drunk. He lied about his educational background, too. Until his death in 2001 at 56, he was mired in legal fights after his brief “stardom.”

Those who are familiar with the fraudulent Buddhist monk said what's been revealed about Haemin is nothing compared to the monk who rattled society in the 1990s.

Protestant churches are not immune to criticism either, as some megachurch leaders have been accused of abuses of power and criticized after father-son “pastoral successions.”

Rev. Lee Jae-rock, founder and senior pastor of Seoul's Guro-based Manmin Central Church, which Protestant Church leaders considered to be a cult, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for having habitually raped at least eight of his church members between 2011 and 2015. He is currently serving a prison sentence. In July, he was ordered by the court to compensate the victims to the tune of 1.2 billion won, approximately $1 million.