Geunil, Head Monk of Buseoksa Temple and Honorary Elder of Jogye Order, Passes Away at 86

Great Master Geunil, the head monk of Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, and an honorary elder of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, passed away today (July 11) at the age of 86. He had been a monk for 66 years.
According to police and fire authorities, Geunil collapsed while waiting for a medical appointment at a hospital in Yeongju at approximately 9:19 a.m. today. He was moved to a hospital but later passed away.
Born in Jindo, South Jeolla Province, Geunil entered the monkhood at Eunhaesa Temple in Yeongcheon, North Gyeongsang Province. He received the novice precepts from Master Dowon at Eunhaesa in 1961 and the full precepts from Master Seongu at Haeinsa Temple in 1967.
He served as the head monk of Gounsa Temple, the main temple of the 16th district of the Jogye Order, from 1980 to 1992, and had been the head monk of Buseoksa Temple since 1992.
He also served as a member of the 9th through 12th Central Council of the Jogye Order, a member of the Retrial Adjudication Committee, and the chairman of the board for Neungin Middle and High Schools (2000–2002).
Doryun, CEO of the Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation, who entered the monkhood under Geunil, remembered him as a great spiritual teacher who practiced and received guidance under renowned masters of the era, including Seongcheol, Gyeongbong, and Hyanggok. Doryun added, "While serving as the head monk of Gounsa, he significantly developed the temple, which had been facing difficulties, and provided guidance on Seon (Zen) meditation by holding all-night meditation retreats every month."
The Jogye Order is currently discussing funeral arrangements.
(Photo courtesy of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.