Buddhist monks play Cupid — with a 60% success rate, no less — as Korea struggles to lift low birthrates

Monks have become matchmakers and a Buddhist temple has turned into a religiously blessed date place in Korea. Ten eligible bachelors and ten bachelorettes took part in a two-day dating program dubbed "Naneun Jeollo" at Naksan Temple in Gangwon.

2024-08-12

Yoon lauds return of Buddhist relics as symbol of closer ties with U.S.

President Yoon Suk Yeol highlighted that the return of rare 14th-century Buddhist relics from a U.S. museum is a testament to closer Seoul-Washington relations as he attended a ceremony in Yangju, Gyeonggi, Sunday marking their repatriation.

2024-05-19

Temple dating, dance parties, and MBTI: Buddhism gets a Gen Z makeover

Buddhism is undergoing a modern makeover to appear more approachable to the younger generation, with events such as temple-based dating competitions and viral dance parties.

2024-05-10

DJ NewJeansNim, who dresses as Buddhist monk, loses shows in Malaysia

DJ NewJeansNim, a Korean comedian who DJs in a monk outfit, has come under fire in Malaysia for denigrating the religion.

2024-05-10

Sarira, reliquary to return to Seoul after 85 years in Boston

A culturally significant sarira, or the sacred remains of Buddhist monks that take the form of small jewels or pearls found among their cremated remains, from Korea’s 14th century Goryeo (918-1392) Buddhist monks will return to Korea.

2024-02-06

Korean Buddhist order announces new meditation programs for public

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.

2024-01-18

President pays tribute to late Buddhist monk as thousands mourn passing

Thousands of people attended a funeral ceremony Sunday for Ven. Jaseung, the former head of Korea's largest Buddhist sect, who died last week.

2023-12-03

Police leaving all possibilities open in prominent Buddhist monk's death, despite suicide notes

The 69-year-old monk died on Wednesday at 6:50 p.m. at the monk’s residence at Chiljang Temple in Anseong, Gyeonggi, which burned to the ground.The police found two notes allegedly written by the monk.

2023-11-30

Scout exodus continues as local governments prepare welcome

Delegations continued leaving the troubled 25th World Scout Jamboree on Sunday despite the Korean government’s additional promises to ensure safety, with the North Jeolla scouting group blaming their exit on an alleged incident of sexual harrassment.

2023-08-06

Korea's largest Buddhist sect slams DP lawmakers' comments on Tibet

DP Rep. Do Jong-hwan, who was invited at the China Xizang Tourism and Culture Expo in Tibet, appeared on a radio show where he dismissed human rights violations in Tibet as something that happened more than seven decades ago

2023-06-22

korea joongAng daily