[Comprehensive] 'Building Owner Controversy' Hye-min Sunim, No 'Angeo Practice' During 12 Years as a Monk

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According to the Buddhist community on the 16th, it has been identified that Hye-min Sunim, a U.S. national, has no record of participating in the traditional an-guh (meditation retreat) practice, a representative training method of Korean Buddhism, since officially becoming a Jogye Order monk in 2008.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-ju] After being embroiled in various controversies including real estate ownership, Monk Hyemin, who declared a suspension of activities, has been revealed to have not practiced 'Angeo (安居)' for 12 years.

According to the Buddhist community on the 16th, Monk Hyemin, a U.S. citizen, has no record of participating in Angeo practice, a representative Korean Buddhist training method, since he officially became a Jogye Order monk in 2008. Angeo refers to the practice where monks cut off external contact and devote themselves to meditation for three months each during the summer and winter seasons.

Monk Hyemin was ordained under Master Hwikwang, the head of Bulgwang Seonwon in the U.S., in the late 1990s. In 2000, he received the novice precept (Sammi-gye) at Haeinsa Temple, becoming a novice monk, and in 2008, he received the Bhikkhu precept at Jikjisa Temple, becoming a Jogye Order monk.

Hye-min Sunim has established and operates Mind Healing Schools in Seoul and Busan. Photo by Mind Healing School website capture.

Afterwards, he began to gain public recognition in 2012 with his essay "Things That Are Only Seen When You Stop." The book has sold over 3 million copies domestically and its rights have been sold to more than 20 countries worldwide.

Monk Hyemin also established and operates Mind Healing Schools in Seoul and Busan, where healing programs through meditation can be experienced.

Recently, he started an IT business centered on meditation, including launching the meditation app "Kokkiri" with Daniel Tudor, a former Korea correspondent for The Economist in the UK.

Although Monk Hyemin has engaged in various external activities using meditation as a theme, there is no evidence that he has devoted himself to Angeo practice held annually at about 100 Seonwon and temples nationwide.

A Buddhist community official said, "When a monk completes the three-month Angeo, it is recorded in the monk registry where and when the Angeo was done, but as far as we know, there is no record that Monk Hyemin has completed Angeo."

In the domestic Buddhist community, which values Seon meditation practice, the number of times a monk has participated in Angeo is sometimes used as a criterion to gauge the depth of their practice. This is why the number of completed Angeo sessions is often mentioned when introducing deeply practicing monks.

A self-introduction from Hye-min Sunim's official website. Photo by Hye-min Sunim's official website capture.

Each year, about 4,000 monks participate in Angeo, with approximately 2,000 in the summer Angeo and 2,000 in the winter Angeo.

Monk Hyemin introduces himself on his website as a "Jogye Order monk practicing during Sancheol at Bongamsa Temple." Sancheol refers to a period outside of Angeo. The Jogye Order does not officially recognize Sancheol practice as Angeo.

It is reported that Monk Hyemin has participated several times in Sancheol practice, which lasts about a month, at Bongamsa Temple in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk, a special Jogye Order monastery.

Earlier, Monk Hyemin revealed his home in downtown Seoul with a view of Namsan Tower on the tvN program "On and Off" aired on the 7th, which sparked controversy within the Buddhist community and others, saying it contradicted his usual words and actions.

In response, Monk Hyeongak posted several critical messages on his Facebook page the day before, harshly criticizing Monk Hyemin.

Monk Hyeongak said about Monk Hyemin, "Don't be a layperson, he is just a celebrity. He is nothing but a thief who knows nothing of the teachings of Shakyamuni. He is a parasite heading to hell by selling the Buddha's teachings." In another post, he uploaded a scene from the broadcast where Monk Hyemin revealed his home and said, "He is merely a businessman/actor. He has no genuine experience of true Seon meditation."

On the night of the 15th, Hye-min Sunim finally posted on Twitter to announce the suspension of all external activities. Photo by Hye-min Sunim Instagram capture.

Ultimately, Monk Hyemin posted on Twitter late the previous night, declaring a suspension of all external activities.

In the post, Monk Hyemin stated, "I thought I was trying to spread the Dharma to the world in the way I could as a practitioner, but due to my shortcomings, I caused discomfort to many people. It is a great fault of mine for not fulfilling the duties of a monk. I will relinquish all activities and return to being a public Seonwon monk to diligently practice."