By Baek Byung-yeul
The current leader of Korea's largest Buddhist order made it official he's running for another term, a decision that further angered reformists attempting to push him out of the picture.
Ven. Jaseung, who has helmed the Jogyeo Order since 2009, has been involved in a slew of corruption and misconduct scandals in the past years that have tarnished the image of Buddhism. After remaining coy for months about his intentions to seek a second term ahead of the October vote, the 59-year-old threw his hat in the ring Monday.
''After much consideration, I decided to enter the race for the next executive administrative director. I am pleading for (the Buddhist faithful) to understand that I remain committed to writing a new chapter for Korean Buddhism,'' Ven. Jaseung told reporters.
''I have been a target of groundless criticism and insults. But from now on, I will be firm in combating false rumors.''
Ven. Jaseung is now the first Jogye leader to seek a second term since the order reformed its election system in 1994 to limit the terms to two. The Jogye Order has nearly 3,000 temples across the country and will hold a vote between 321 senior leaders on Oct. 10 to pick its new head. Ven. Jaseung will be competing with a trio of reformist candidates ― Ven. Boseon, Ven. Doyeong and Ven. Daewoo.
He seemed to be cruising toward a second term until a gambling scandal erupted last year. After being expelled from the Jogye Order following a feud, Ven. Seong-ho released a video clip that showed eight monks from the Baekyang Temple playing poker in a hotel room with hundreds of millions of won at stake. The monks were also drinking and smoking heavily.
Ven. Seongho also went on a radio show and claimed that Ven. Jaseung and Ven. Myungjin, another well known monk, were rewarded by an influence peddler with drinks and sex in 2001. Ven. Myungjin admitted going to a ''room salon,'' or hostess bar, with Ven. Jaseung, but claimed that ''lines that shouldn't be crossed weren't crossed.''
The Korean Association of Seon Center Spiritual Directors, which represents around 2,000 monks from 96 Jogye temples, has been spearheading the campaign against Ven. Jaseung.
''I know there have been controversies over my candidacy and I won't be making any further excuses,'' he said.
The Jogye Order leader doubles as one of the most powerful figures in Korean society, having the authority to name chief monks at every Jogye temple and managing an annual budget of over 42.5 billion won (about $40 million).
The four-year term presidency is known to wield great power in the order. The order has its candidate registration from Wednesday to Friday, and will hold the election on Oct. 10.
The current leader of Korea's largest Buddhist order made it official he's running for another term, a decision that further angered reformists attempting to push him out of the picture.
Ven. Jaseung, who has helmed the Jogyeo Order since 2009, has been involved in a slew of corruption and misconduct scandals in the past years that have tarnished the image of Buddhism. After remaining coy for months about his intentions to seek a second term ahead of the October vote, the 59-year-old threw his hat in the ring Monday.
''After much consideration, I decided to enter the race for the next executive administrative director. I am pleading for (the Buddhist faithful) to understand that I remain committed to writing a new chapter for Korean Buddhism,'' Ven. Jaseung told reporters.
''I have been a target of groundless criticism and insults. But from now on, I will be firm in combating false rumors.''
Ven. Jaseung is now the first Jogye leader to seek a second term since the order reformed its election system in 1994 to limit the terms to two. The Jogye Order has nearly 3,000 temples across the country and will hold a vote between 321 senior leaders on Oct. 10 to pick its new head. Ven. Jaseung will be competing with a trio of reformist candidates ― Ven. Boseon, Ven. Doyeong and Ven. Daewoo.
He seemed to be cruising toward a second term until a gambling scandal erupted last year. After being expelled from the Jogye Order following a feud, Ven. Seong-ho released a video clip that showed eight monks from the Baekyang Temple playing poker in a hotel room with hundreds of millions of won at stake. The monks were also drinking and smoking heavily.
Ven. Seongho also went on a radio show and claimed that Ven. Jaseung and Ven. Myungjin, another well known monk, were rewarded by an influence peddler with drinks and sex in 2001. Ven. Myungjin admitted going to a ''room salon,'' or hostess bar, with Ven. Jaseung, but claimed that ''lines that shouldn't be crossed weren't crossed.''
The Korean Association of Seon Center Spiritual Directors, which represents around 2,000 monks from 96 Jogye temples, has been spearheading the campaign against Ven. Jaseung.
''I know there have been controversies over my candidacy and I won't be making any further excuses,'' he said.
The Jogye Order leader doubles as one of the most powerful figures in Korean society, having the authority to name chief monks at every Jogye temple and managing an annual budget of over 42.5 billion won (about $40 million).
The four-year term presidency is known to wield great power in the order. The order has its candidate registration from Wednesday to Friday, and will hold the election on Oct. 10.
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