The Jogye Order, South Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, is plunging deeper into crisis following a string of revelations of unbecoming and illegal conduct among monks. 

The scandal erupted last week when Buddhist monk Seongho exposed an all-night gambling and boozing party among his fellow monks, prompting nationwide criticism.

He exposed on Tuesday that Ven. Myungjin and the order’s treasury chief Ven. Jaseung went to “room salons,” establishments that often facilitate prostitution.

Jogye responded with some allegations of their own, claiming in a press release that Ven. Seongho attempted to rape a nun in 2004. The Buddhist sect said that when the alleged victim fought back, he assaulted her and her mother and fled.

It also said that Ven. Seongho bought an expensive car with temple funds.

In an attempt at damage control, Ven. Jaseung made an appearance on a radio show Wednesday and denied the accusations of prostitution and said that the gambling was merely a “pastime,” just like other games played by the elderly to prevent dementia.

“If you see the statement, you’ll find that the total amount of the stake was 4 to 5 million won ($3,440 to 4,300). How can you compare a simple ‘culture of betting’ to gambling?” Ven. Jaseung said.

The scandal led to the resignation of six senior leaders of the Jogye Order, and official apology along with a 100-day meditation period for repentance from Ven. Jaseung.

However, Ven. Seongho warned further secrets would be revealed.

The Jogye Order is the largest sect of Korean Buddhism, with 10 million followers. Its executive body overseas an annual budget of 30 billion won.



By Yoon Min-sik

(minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)