Thousands of citizens visited the funeral of the late Monk Myung Jin on the 29th, paying their respects to the man who was called the 'conscience of the nation' and leaving messages expressing their sadness. At the funeral, which was held at the Buddhist temple of Bongeunsa in Gangnam, Seoul, at 8:30 am on the 29th, many people including politicians, celebrities, and those who were helped by Monk Myung Jin when they were in difficult times, came to pay their respects. Monk Myung Jin passed away on the 28th at the age of 81. The funeral was held in a simple manner, with a ceremony and burial, and about 10,000 people visited the funeral home to pay their respects to the late monk. At the funeral, a follower of Monk Myung Jin read a eulogy, saying, "The spirit of helping those in need, which was Monk Myung Jin's greatest mental legacy, will continue." The family of the late monk also read a eulogy, saying, "Monk Myung Jin was a person who lived a life of asceticism and a simple life, but he was also a person who had a strong sense of justice." The body of Monk Myung Jin was laid to rest at the Buddhist cemetery in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province. Monk Myung Jin was known for his ascetic life and for helping those in need. In 2015, he was awarded the 23rd Human Rights Award for his contributions to human rights. In particular, he was known for helping those who were forced to return to North Korea against their will, and for his efforts to find the truth behind the Sewol ferry disaster. In 2014, he received the 'Order of Merit for National Foundation' for his contributions to democratization. Monk Myung Jin was also known for his criticism of authoritarian regimes and his support for democracy. In 1989, he was imprisoned for 36 days for violating the 'National Security Act' for criticizing the Roh Tae-woo administration. Monk Myung Jin was also known for his simple life, and it is said that he lived in a small temple in Incheon and spent his days meditating and helping those in need. The simple but sincere life of Monk Myung Jin is said to have inspired many people. As the news of Monk Myung Jin's death spread, many people expressed their sadness on social media, saying, "Monk Myung Jin was a shining star in the darkness" and "I have lost a great teacher." President Moon Jae-in also expressed his condolences, saying, "Monk Myung Jin was a person who had a strong sense of justice and always stood on the side of those who were suffering." Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan also expressed his condolences, saying, "Monk Myung Jin was a great person who always stood on the side of the weak and helped those in need." The public's funeral for Monk Myung Jin was held on the 30th at the Olympic Gymnasium in Gangnam, Seoul. About 10,000 people attended the funeral, and it was broadcast live on TV. At the funeral, many people paid their respects to Monk Myung Jin, and some people cried and hugged each other, overcome with grief. One follower of Monk Myung Jin said, "I came to pay my respects to Monk Myung Jin because he was a person who always helped those in need and lived a simple life." Another follower said, "Monk Myung Jin was a great teacher who taught me the importance of justice and compassion." The funeral of Monk Myung Jin was a testament to the impact he had on the lives of many people. Monk Myung Jin may be gone, but his legacy will live on.
Many citizens and monks mourned the sudden passing of Daein-saju, a dedicated social activist and prominent figure in both the Buddhist and civic communities. Yeongjin-saju, who was revered for his steadfastness during various crises, including the Sewol ferry disaster and Yeonjehyun's political struggles, left an indelible impression on those who knew him.
At the funeral service held at Bongan Temple in Seoul, President Park Geun-hye, former President Roh Moo-hyun's widow Ms. Kwonyang-su, and other distinguished guests mourned Daein-saju's passing. Many monks and citizens took a moment to remember the compassionate nature and unwavering optimism that Daein-saju extended to those in need. Some were moved to tears by photographs of the monk, recalling his kindness and wisdom.
The chairman of the joint funeral committee, Jang Ho (66), emphasized that Daein-saju had inspired him to engage in social reforms during his youth. He highlighted Daein-saju's commitment to social justice, particularly in matters affecting the marginalized. Daein-saju's influence extended beyond the monastic community, as evidenced by his activism during the Cyclic Horse scandal and the Sewol ferry tragedy.
As the funeral unfolded, many reminisced about the monk's life, expressing gratitude for the spiritual legacy he left behind. Yeon Ah-won (67) recalled a particularly poignant moment when Daein-saju comforted her, urging her not to cry and advising her to find strength. These personal anecdotes served to underscore Daein-saju's deep connection to the individuals he touched throughout his life. The funeral concluded with a promise to carry forward Daein-saju's message of compassion and support for the vulnerable.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
