South Korea's Buddhist Order Confronts Declining Monastic Numbers by Embracing Youth and Innovation | Be Korea-savvy

South Korea’s Buddhist Order Confronts Declining Monastic Numbers by Embracing Youth and Innovation


On May 15, 2022, the start of the summer retreat season (Haangeo) in the Buddhist calendar year 2566, a monk is seen heading to a meditation hall at Woljeongsa Temple in Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province. (Yonhap)

On May 15, 2022, the start of the summer retreat season (Haangeo) in the Buddhist calendar year 2566, a monk is seen heading to a meditation hall at Woljeongsa Temple in Jinbu-myeon, Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 29 (Korea Bizwire) —  Faced with a sharp decline in monastic ordinations, South Korea’s Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is striving to engage younger generations in an effort to sustain its future.

According to the order, only 81 individuals completed the rigorous process to become novice monks or nuns last year, a significant drop from 226 in 2024, and less than half the 212 recorded in 2012.

The decline is part of a broader trend of secularization in South Korea. A Gallup Korea survey shows that the proportion of religiously affiliated adults fell from 54% in 2004 to 40% by 2021. Buddhism, which accounted for 24% of adults in 2004, has since shrunk to 16%.

This dwindling interest poses a critical challenge for the Jogye Order, which relies on monastics for religious leadership and outreach. The order has called the trend “a fundamental issue shaking the foundation of Korean Buddhism.”

To reverse the decline, the Jogye Order is making concerted efforts to appeal to younger South Koreans. A key strategy is rebranding Buddhism as a vibrant and modern religion, often referred to as “hip Buddhism.”

On August 8, 2024, at BEXCO, the official ambassador of the "2024 Busan International Buddhist Expo" and a key figure in promoting "hip Buddhism," New Jeans Monk (comedian Yoon Sung-ho), hosted a Buddhist scripture EDM DJ party. (Yonhap)

On August 8, 2024, at BEXCO, the official ambassador of the “2024 Busan International Buddhist Expo” and a key figure in promoting “hip Buddhism,” New Jeans Monk (comedian Yoon Sung-ho), hosted a Buddhist scripture EDM DJ party. (Yonhap)

Comedian Yoon Sung-ho, adopting the persona “New Jeans Monk (NewJeansNim),” became a viral sensation at a Buddhist event last year, illustrating the potential of creative engagement with youth.

Initiatives such as JustBe Hongdae Seonwon, a meditation space near Seoul’s trendy Hongdae neighborhood, and singles’ temple stay programs like I’m Naturally Attracted, have gained popularity among young adults.

The order has also amplified its presence on social media and is restructuring its organization to enhance its digital outreach capabilities.

Additionally, the Jogye Order is supporting university Buddhist clubs, hosting events like lantern festivals and military chaplaincy activities, and developing modernized meditation programs, such as the “5-Minute Meditation,” aimed at improving mental health.

On the afternoon of July 25, 2024, university students from 25 countries who participated in a short-term monastic program joined their palms in prayer during the closing ceremony of the Global Meditation and Practice Program and the graduation ceremony of the 67th Monastic School at Woljeongsa Temple in Odaesan, Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province. (Yonhap)

On the afternoon of July 25, 2024, university students from 25 countries who participated in a short-term monastic program joined their palms in prayer during the closing ceremony of the Global Meditation and Practice Program and the graduation ceremony of the 67th Monastic School at Woljeongsa Temple in Odaesan, Pyeongchang County, Gangwon Province. (Yonhap)

During a New Year’s press conference, Venerable Jinwoo, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, emphasized the importance of sustaining the momentum of “young Buddhism” and “hip Buddhism.”

He pledged to further diversify outreach methods through new media and maintain direct communication with younger generations.

As the Jogye Order adapts to the evolving religious landscape in 2025, its efforts to modernize and connect with youth could determine the future of Buddhism in South Korea.

M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>