▲ The mortuary for the late monk Myeongjin, former abbot of Bongeunsa Temple who passed away in Seogwipo, Jeju, on August 22, is set up at the Seonbuldang hall of Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul on August 23.
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism has decided to posthumously confer the title of Daejongsa (Grand Master), the highest monastic rank, on the late monk Myeongjin, who passed away on August 22.
This posthumous conferment comes three days before the final 49th-day memorial service for the monk.
Daejongsa is the highest dharma rank in the Jogye Order given to monks with exceptional spiritual attainment and public leadership. The Jogye Order stated that this conferment was decided to honor the late monk Myeongjin's lifelong dedication to spiritual practice and social activism.
The final 49th-day memorial service for monk Myeongjin will be held tomorrow, October 9, at Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul. During the service, a dharma rank certificate, a 25-patch monastic robe (Kashaya) worn by a Daejongsa, and an insignia will be presented to symbolize the posthumous conferment.
Jogye Order Executive Chief Ven. Jinwoo will attend the 49th-day memorial service to deliver a eulogy commemorating the late monk's spiritual journey and legacy during his lifetime.
Monk Myeongjin, who formerly served as the abbot of Bongeunsa Temple, passed away off the coast of Jeju Island on August 22.
The late monk, who was both an ascetic practitioner and an activist for the socially vulnerable, had his monastic registration stripped in 2017 amid conflicts with the leadership under former Executive Chief Ven. Jaseung. However, he later won a lawsuit, healed the rift with the denomination, and had his monastic status restored.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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