{{Short description|Korean Buddhist order}} {{Infobox religious group | flag = Jogye-Order.jpeg | flag_caption = Logo | population = | founder = Doui | regions = South Korea | scriptures = Diamond Sutra | languages = Korean }} {{Korean Buddhism}}
The '''Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism''' ({{Korean|hangul=대한불교조계종}}), often shortened to '''Jogye Order''' (조계종), is a sect of Korean Buddhism. It is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea with 2,800 temples and 12,000 monks as of 2011.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sin |first=Jun-bong |date=2013-06-17 |title=[뉴스 클립] Special Knowledge <501> 불교 종단 총정리 |url=https://www.joongang.co.kr/article/11818181 |work=Joongang Ilbo|language=ko|trans-title=[News clip] Special Knowledge <501> Buddhist sect summary}}</ref> Although the order has its roots in late Silla, its modern form was established in 1962. Its principal scripture is the Diamond Sutra and its followers practice ''hwadu'' (koan) meditation.
==History== The order takes its name from Mount Caoxi where Huineng, the sixth patriarch of Chan Buddhism resided.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hong |first=Jin-ho |date=2024-06-11 |title=[견지동45] 선과 Zen...韓 조계종 특별한 이유는? |url=https://news.bbsi.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=3158981 |work=BBS|language=ko|trans-title=[Gyeonji-dong 45] Seon and Zen... Why is Korean Jogye Order special?}}</ref> It has its roots in the Nine mountain schools established in late Silla. Its founder is thought to be Doui who first brought Seon (Zen) to Korea. Jinul is thought to be the Prospering Patriach (중천조) and {{ill|Bou (Joseon)|ko|보우 (조선)|lt=Bou}} is thought to be the Reviving Patriarch (중흥조).<ref name="jo">{{Cite web |last=Cho |first=Ki-ryong |date=2023 |title=대한불교조계종 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0015063 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|language=ko|trans-title=Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism}}</ref>
=== Goryeo === The Nine mountain schools were reorganized into the Jogye Order and began to prosper under the leadership of Jinul. Jinul promoted the principle of {{Interlanguage link|donojeomsu|ko|돈오점수}} (sudden enlightenment followed by gradual cultivation), emphasizing meditation as well as studying the Sutra. The order gained support from the Goryeo military regime due to its emphasis on continuous discipline and became a unique and indigenous Buddhist practice.<ref name="koreaoldandnew">{{cite book|title=Korea Old And New: A History|year=1991|publisher=Ilchokak|isbn=0962771309|page=94|author=Eckert|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780962771309/page/94|first=Carter J}}</ref>
=== Joseon === Joseon implemented policies that promoted Confucianism and suppressed Buddhism for centuries such as banning monks from entering the capital. During the reign of Prince Yeonsan, Jogye Order faced persecution. Nevertheless, Buddhism was preserved in sansa through the efforts of eminent monks such as Hyujeong and Yujeong during the Imjin War. Monks were permitted to enter the capital after the 1895 Kabo Reform.<ref name="jo"/>
=== Japanese colonial period === Buddhists tried to rebuild Buddhist sects and expand Buddhism into cities through the establishment of Won Order and Imje Order, but these attempts were suppressed by Japanese colonial authorities. In response, eminent monks such as Jinjong and Manhae resisted Japanese rule and the movement to establish an independent Buddhist order continued such as the founding of Seonhakwon in 1921. In 1941, the Jogye Order of Joseon Buddhism (조선불교조계종), the predecessor of Jogye Order, was established.<ref name="jo"/>
=== 20th century after liberation === After the liberation of Korea, the Buddhism purification movement took place from 1954 to 1962 to restore Korean Buddhist traditions and root out {{ill|daecheoseung|ko|대처승}} (married monks) who appeared during the colonial period when the Japanese forced Buddhist monks to marry.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoon |first=Sang-hyeon |date=2014 |title=불교정화운동 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0074912 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|language=ko|trans-title=Buddhism purification movement}}</ref> In 1955, the Jogye Order centered on bhikkus (unmarried monks) was established. Through mediation by eminent monks and the government, ''daecheoseung'' were tolerated and in 1962, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism was officially established.<ref name="jo"/> However, in 1970, ''daecheoseung'' created a separate Buddhist Order (Taego Order).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jo |first=Gi-ryong |date=2023 |title=한국불교태고종 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0061216 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|language=ko|trans-title=Taego Order of Korean Buddhism}}</ref>
During the October 27th Buddhist Persecution in 1980, the Chun Doo-hwan government arrested and investigated monks and personnel of the Jogye Order in order to "purify the Buddhist community". 153 people were arrested and investigated on October 27 and another 1,776 people were arrested three days later. The real reason of the incident is thought to be that the headquarter of the order had visited Gwangju to support the victims of the Gwangju Uprising and launched its own purification campaign. It is considered an abuse of state power under martial law and violation of religious freedom.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Hye-yeong |date=2021 |title=10·27법난 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0078632 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|language=ko|trans-title=October 27th Buddhist Persecution}}</ref>
In 1994, Ven. Uihyeon, the president at that time, attempted to secure a third consecutive term although the constitution of the order (종헌) did not clearly state whether the president could be elected three times. Consequently, young monks formed the Pan-Sangha Order Reform Promotion Committee (범승가종단개혁추진회) in 1994 and launched efforts to block his reappointment and reform the order. When it was later revealed that the headquarters hired thugs to enforce the election, the incident became a nationwide issue. The committee later established a reform council and rooted out corrupt monks.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kim |first=Soon-seok |date=2013 |title=1994년 대한불교조계종 개혁종단의 성립과 의의 |trans-title=Establishment of Reformative Order within Korean Buddhist Jogye Order in 1994 and Its Meaning |url=https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/ci/sereArticleSearch/ciSereArtiView.kci?sereArticleSearchBean.artiId=ART001840178 |journal=Maha Bodhi Thought |language=ko |issue=20 |pages=328 |via=Korea Citation Index}}</ref>
=== 21st century === To globalize Korean Buddhism, the order founded the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism (한국불교문화사업단) in 2004 and launched various programs such as Templestay and training of foreign monks.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Ko |first=Sang-hyun |date=2021 |title=한국불교의 세계화 현황과 비전 - 대한불교조계종을 중심으로 - |trans-title=Current Status and Vision of the Globalization of Korean Buddhism: Focusing on the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism |journal=Journal of Eastern-Asia Buddhism and Culture |language=ko |issue=48 |pages=479 |doi=10.21718/EABC.2021.48.15}}</ref>
== Religious characteristics == The principal scriptures of the Jogye Order are the Diamond Sutra and Dharma Words of the Transmission of the Lamp (전등법어; 傳燈法語). Meanwhile, the order acknowledges the tradition of syncretic Buddhism (통불교) that incorporates Huayan, Pure Land Buddhism, and Vajrayana and thus does not restrict the study of other scriptures and practice such as nianfo and chants.<ref name="jo"/>
== Composition and operation == The Jogye Order is made up of headquarters (총무원, executive branch), central council (중앙종회, legislative branch), and precepts adjudication council (호계원, judicial branch). The supreme patriach (종정) holds the highest status and authority while the president (총무원장) represents the order and oversees administrative affairs. He is elected through an indirect election system by a 321-member electoral body.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Son |first=Won-cheon |date=2026-01-07 |title=9월 총무원장·10월 중앙종회 의원·12월 종정… 조계종 선택의 해, 고민하는 불심 |url=https://www.seoul.co.kr/news/life/religion-news/2026/01/07/20260107030002 |work=Seoul Sinmun|language=ko|trans-title=September president, October central council members, December supreme patriarch... Jogye Order year of choice, concerned Buddhists}}</ref> The abbot (주지) of a head temple represents the temple and is appointed by the president after being elected.<ref name="jo"/>
=== Head temples === Jogye Order has 25 parishes (''gyogu''). The head temple of a parish is called ''bonsa'' (본사; 本寺) and oversees parish affairs. Its subordinate temples are called ''malsa'' (말사; 末寺) and one parish has ten to hundreds of ''malsa''. There was a dispute between Jogye Order and Taego Order over the ownership of Seonamsa and a 2022 court ruling recognized the effective control of Taego Order.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022 |title=본사 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0023752 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|language=ko|trans-title=Head temple}}</ref>
{{columns-start}} * Parish 1: Jogyesa (Jongno, Seoul) * Parish 2: Yongjusa (Hwaseong, Gyeonggi) * Parish 3: Sinheungsa (Sokcho, Gangwon) * Parish 4: Woljeongsa (Pyeongchang, Gangwon) * Parish 5: Beopjusa (Boeun, North Chungcheong) * Parish 6: Magoksa (Gongju, South Chungcheong) * Parish 7: Sudeoksa (Yesan, South Chungcheong) * Parish 8: Jikjisa (Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang) * Parish 9: Donghwasa (Dong District, Daegu) * Parish 10: Eunhaesa (Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang) * Parish 11: Bulguksa (Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang) * Parish 12: Haeinsa (Hapcheon, South Gyeongsang) * Parish 13: Ssanggyesa (Hadong, South Gyeongsang) {{column}} * Parish 14: Beomeosa (Geumjeong, Busan) * Parish 15: Tongdosa (Yangsan, South Gyeongsang) * Parish 16: Gounsa (Uiseong, North Gyeongsang) * Parish 17: Geumsansa (Gimje, North Jeolla) * Parish 18: Baegyangsa (Jangseong, South Jeolla) * Parish 19: Hwaeomsa (Gurye, South Jeolla) * Parish 20: Seonamsa (Suncheon, South Jeolla) * Parish 21: Songgwangsa (Suncheon, South Jeolla) * Parish 22: Daeheungsa (Haenam, South Jeolla) * Parish 23: Gwaneumsa (Jeju City, Jeju Province) * Parish 24: Seonunsa (Gochang, North Jeolla) * Parish 25: Bongseonsa (Namyangju, Gyeonggi) {{columns-end}}
== Philanthropy == In 1995, Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation was established. It has provided disaster relief to victims of the 2005 Sri Lanka earthquake, 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami and 2014 Sinking of MV Sewol.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baek |first=Jin-ho |date=2025-06-11 |title=30년 자비행 매진한 조계종복지재단 “100년 향해 뛰겠다” |url=https://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=329606 |work=Beopbo Sinmun|language=ko|trans-title=Jogye Order welfare foundation strived for mercy for 30 years "We will run toward 100 years"}}</ref> According to a 2021 survey, 80% of temples of the order have helped the local community such as supporting low-income households.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeong |first=Jun-ho |date=2021-03-16 |title=조계종 사찰 10곳 중 8곳 지역사회공헌 |trans-title=8 out of 10 Jogye Order temples contributed to the community |url=https://www.btnnews.tv/news/articleView.html?idxno=65404 |work=BTN News |language=ko}}</ref>
== Criticism and controversies ==
=== President election === As the president is elected by indirect vote, vote buying and black propaganda became a problem. A direct election system which better reflects the views of the Buddhist community and an enthronement system which reduces black propaganda have been proposed as alternatives.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cho |first=Ki-ryong |date=2009 |title=대한불교조계종 총무원장 선출제도에 대한 연구 －추대제와 선거제의 비교－ |trans-title=A Study of Selection Systems for the President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism - A Comparison of an Enthronement System with Election Systems - |url=https://www.kci.go.kr/kciportal/ci/sereArticleSearch/ciSereArtiView.kci?sereArticleSearchBean.artiId=ART001369976 |journal=The Journal of the Korean Association for Buddhist Studies |language=ko |issue=54 |pages=395-396 |via=Korea Citation Index}}</ref>
Ahead of the 1998 president election, tensions escalated over Ven. Wolju’s bid for a third term, leading to violent clashes within the order. The situation was eventually brought to an end through police intervention based on a court ruling.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Byeong-du |date=2019-11-25 |title=120. 1998년 조계종 사태 |trans-title=120. 1998 Jogye Order incident |url=https://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=208129 |work=Beopbo Sinmun |language=ko}}</ref> The incident was also reported by international media such as BBC.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 24, 1998 |title=Monks charged over temple violence |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/241066.stm |work=BBC}}</ref>
=== Misconduct of monks === In more recent years, the Jogye Order has been beset with scandals involving gambling<ref>{{cite news|title=Buddhist Monks Gambling: South Korea Jogye Order Monks Offer To Resign Amid Gambling Scandal|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/10/buddhist-monks-gambling-south-korea_n_1505647.html|access-date=14 July 2013|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=10 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=South Korea's Buddhists monks tackle modern challenges|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-18482726|access-date=14 July 2013|newspaper=BBC News UK|date=26 June 2012}}</ref> and sexual misconduct.<ref>{{cite news|title=Accusations fly as SKorea Buddhist monk scandal deepens|url=http://asiancorrespondent.com/82594/skorea-buddhist-monk-scandal-deepens/|access-date=14 July 2013|newspaper=Asian Correspondent|date=16 May 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title="성호스님, 여승 성폭행 하려다…" 연일 충격|url=http://www.mt.co.kr/view/mtview.php?type=1&no=2012051523522867682&outlink=1|access-date=14 July 2013|newspaper=Money Today News|date=5 May 2012}}</ref>
== Affiliated organizations ==
=== Bulgyo Sinmun === Jogye Order founded the Buddhist newspaper ''Daehan Bulgyo'' on January 1, 1960 after realizing the importance of missionary work through documents. It was forcibly shut down by the government in 1980 in part because of the October 27th Buddhist Persecution. When it was revived on December 21 in the same year, it changed its name to ''Bulgyo Sinmun''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2016-01-04|title=<다시 보는 불교 그날> 1960년 1월 1일, 조계종 <대한불교> 창간 지면 포교 시작|url=https://www.btnnews.tv/news/articleView.html?idxno=34834|work=BTN News|language=ko|trans-title=<Buddhism that day revisited> January 1, 1960 Jogye Order <Bulgyo Sinmun> established, document mission work begins}}</ref>
=== Schools === As of 2003, the Jogye Order operates 24 schools.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jang |first=Yeong-seop |date=2003-02-28 |title=조계종립학교 운영현황 자료집 발간 |url=https://www.ibulgyo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=22397 |work=Bulgyo Sinmun|language=ko|trans-title=Reference on the operation of schools founded by the Jogye Order published}}</ref>
* Dongguk University * {{Interlanguage link|Joongang Sangha University|ko|중앙승가대학교}}: Private university established in 1979 to teach and research Buddhism<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Cheol-ho |date=1995 |title=중앙승가대학교 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0053842 |website=Encyclopedia of Korean Culture|language=ko|trans-title=Joongang Sangha University}}</ref>
==See also== *Korean Seon *Taego Order
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.buddhism.or.kr/}}
Category:1962 establishments in South Korea Category:Buddhist orders Category:Jogye Order