Institute for Study of Jogye Order

Project for Globalization of Ganhwa Seon and Studies on Practice of Buddhism

We are promoting Ganhwa Seon program as an effort to let the world know the identity of Korean Buddhism, the wisdom of the law of Buddha, and the philosophy of compassion from the law of Buddha, through Ganhwa Seon. We are conducting studies on Ganhwa Seon and on various other methods for practice of Buddhism while also examining the same academically, through international Conferences. On the basis of such efforts, we are trying to establish the academic foundation, and also to share the benefits of the law of Buddha with all people all over the world by way of maximally utilizing the excellence of Ganhwa Seon, and to contribute to the peaceful prosperity of the society and the humanity.

International Conferences for Ganhwa Seon

Project for Systematization of Korean Seon

As “Academic Discourse Meeting for Systematization of Korean Seon” was held on May 30, 2011, the basic foundation was prepared for the systematization of Korean Seon. We are planning to publish books relating to Korean Seon on the basis of the project for systematization of Korean Seon per era from its beginning to the modern times and also on the basis of the related studies.

Project for Studies on Venerable Buddhist Monks in Modern and Contemporary Eras

Beside an academic conference concerning Buddhist Monks Geumo and Manam, the first product of the studies on venerable Buddhist monks in modern and contemporary Korea was embodied in publication of “Buddhist Monk Geumo and Korean Buddhism.” We are proceeding with studies and academic conferences in order to rediscover and interpret the meaning of Buddhist spirit of the age regarding the venerable monks in the modern and contemporary Korean Buddhism that has not been actively studied on.

International Exchange Project

Establishment of Domestic and Overseas Network with Ganhwa Seon in Center

The history and tradition of Korean Ganhwa Seon plays and holds a special role and status in East Asia. Whereupon, we intend to promote exchange and development of the Eastern and the Western civilizations by way of re-illuminating West’s perception of Ganhwa Seon, while also intending to establish the identify of East Asian Seon Buddhism tradition. For this purpose, Jonghak Institute (also known as Institute for the Study of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism) has been furthering Ganhwa Seon-related international Conferences and domestic academic conferences as well as try to find ways for “Ganhwa Seon Network” project in multiple aspects

Project for Publication of Korean Ganhwa Seon Literature

We are promoting the “project for publication of Korean Ganhwa Seon literature” in order to popularize the Ganhwa Seon, i.e., a method of Seon practice which has most significantly influenced Korean Buddhism history. We intend to provide guides by way of publishing books about the backgrounds, thoughts, and history of Ganhwa Seon.

Project for Publication of Korean Seon Studies

We are scheduled to publish teaching materials that will suggest the theoretic directionality about the Korean Seon to the practitioners. This task is promoted based on the Project for Systematization of Korean Seon, and we aim to get the published materials to be utilized in education organizations of universities and temples.

A) The directionality and the roadmap plan regarding the publication of Korean Seon
B) To hold academic seminars for publication of Korean Seon literature
C) To secure funds including donation to proceed with the publication project

Study Activities

• 1

  Research, systematization of, and study on history of Jogye Order,

• 2

  Translation of Seon scriptures of Jogye Order (into Korean and English)

• 3

  Study on the policies of Jogye Order

• 4

  Study on the education, the propagation and the welfare of Jogye Order

• 5

  Study on theories of Seon studies

• 6

  Study on methods of Seon practice such as Ganhwa Seon and Mukjo Seon

• 7

  Study on daily Seon (Seon psychology, Seon counselling, Seon healing, Seon culture, Seon arts…)

• 8

  Study on meditation through comparison (with other practice methods than those of Buddhism)

• 9

  Related sciences (Seon and the 4th industry; Seon and Healing; Seon and Philosophy; Seon and the Modern Society, etc.)

• 10

  The spiritual and the material Cultures of Korean Buddhism (Food, clothing, architecture)

The basic projects

• 1

  Periodic spring and autumn academic conferences

• 2

  International conferences for Ganhwa Seon

• 3

  Academic lectures

• 4

  To proceed with Seon practice programs

• 5

  Publication and distribution of academic research books

• 6

  Exchange with domestic and overseas academic research organizations

• 7

  Other projects necessary to achieve the purposes of this research institute