Korean Buddhist order announces new meditation programs for public

Venerable Jinwoo of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism speaks during a New Year's press conference at the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Korean meditation will become more accessible to the general public, Venerable Jinwoo, the 37th President of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said in a press conference held Wednesday.

“We will open a path to peace of mind and happiness through meditation,” said Venerable Jinwoo during a New Year’s press conference held by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism at the Korean Buddhism History and Culture Memorial Hall on Wednesday.

The Jogye Order is working on concisely organizing meditation methods that embody the 1,700 years of history and tradition of Korean Buddhism. Step-by-step programs will be available, from basic breathing techniques to advanced courses.

“We will also prepare situation-specific programs such as Zen meditation to take care of your mind when you are depressed, Zen meditation to calm your anger, and Zen meditation to clear your mind before important exams,” said Venerable Jinwoo. “This year will be the first to begin popular meditation programs.”

“Various monks have popularized Zen meditation in the past years, but it is still not easy for the general public to follow it,” Venerable Jinwoo added. “We want to spread the mediation that modern society needs quickly.”

A pilot temple stay program will be held in April to demonstrate the Jogye Order’s official meditation program. In the second half of the year, the Jogye Order plans to select and operate 20 temple stay programs specializing in mediation nationwide.

In September, an international meditation competition will be held to promote and globalize Korean meditation.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]