04/04/2023
JOGYESA
Jogye Temple is chief temple of the Jogye order which represents the KoreanBuddhism. It promotes embodiment of society where people live together andBodhisattva's spirit. Also, the temple is a historic site that has lived through theturbulent modern history of Korea.
Jogye Temple was originally built in 1910 and bore the name ofGakhwangsaTemple by the monks longing for independence of the Korean Buddhism andrecovery of Koreans' self esteem.
Gakhwangsa temple was the chief temple of modern Korean Buddhism and the firstpropagation center that argued legitimacy of local Buddhism and the first templelocated inside the boundary of four gates of the city of Seoul.
Name of the temple changed to Taegosa in 1938 and again to present JogyeTemple in 1954 in order to clear away the vestigesof Japanese colonial era.
Jogye Temple locates within the heart of Seoul, where the public can enjoy rest andleisure time. The temple is well positioning itself as the chief temple of the orderthrough remodeling of the Main Hall and construction of the One Pillar Gate.
It is also leading devotional practices, religious and public welfare activities.
The Main Hall is opened 24 hours a day to all public allowing visits of both local andforeigners. It is promoting itself as a open space, inviting all to the temple's eventsand ceremonies.
Korean Jogye Order is representative order of traditional KoreanBuddishm with1700 years of history. Jogye Order is based on the teaching of SurkgahmohneeBuddha and follows the Order's doctrine of 'Directly pointing at one's mind, and tosee one's own nature and accomplish buddhahood, to lead buddhist youth intoreligious activities.
The Order relies on Diamond Sutra as the guiding text and through Dharma talks,textual study, chanting and devotional practices are integrated into the program.
Its special Kanhwa Zen Program is earning worldwide interest. AdministrativeHeadquarters of the Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism has around 3,000temples nationwide, including three Jewel temples (Tongdosa, Haeinsa, andSonggwangsa) representing the three jewels of Buddhism.
Also, there are some 15,000 monks and Buddhist nuns focusingon devotionalpractices and propagation in respective monasteries.
There is Central Buddhist Museum and auditorium in the Historic Cultural MemorialCenter of Korea Buddhism within the complex of Jogyesa temple.
Administrative Headquarters of Jogyesa Order, Training Center, Propagation Centerand Central Council of Jogye Order are doing business within the temple complex.