No Comment on the Controversy
Do-yeon, a monk and author from KAIST and a meditation expert who has been active in various fields, has announced a suspension of activities.
On the 7th, Do-yeon posted on his social networking service (SNS), "I plan to take a break from SNS for a while," adding, "I did not provide explanations or rebuttals regarding the recent controversies and suspicions, and some people may have felt uncomfortable seeing me continue my usual activities."
Do-yeon, a monk and author who graduated from KAIST and has been active as a meditation expert, has announced a suspension of activities. [Photo by Do-yeon Instagram]
He also wrote, "I feel responsible for causing a burden to the Jogye Order and having a negative impact, so I will spend some time in self-reflection and devote myself to practice and studies for the time being."
Do-yeon entered the Department of Electronic Engineering at KAIST in 2005 and left to become a monk about a year later. He completed his bachelor's degree in Technology Management at KAIST in 2015, then entered the graduate school of Indian Philosophy at Dongguk University, where he earned a PhD in Philosophy with a dissertation on "The Origins and Practicality of Modern Meditation (Focusing on Mindfulness and Yoga)."
Do-yeon: "I will reflect as I caused a burden to the Jogye Order"
Do-yeon has appeared on various TV programs including his YouTube channel, teaching meditation methods, and has shown versatility by covering songs by singer Lim Young-woong.
Moreover, Do-yeon, currently a meditation instructor at Bongeunsa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, was scheduled to conduct a 12-week mindfulness meditation course starting from the 10th. The course was already fully booked and closed for applications.
Do-yeon's suspension of activities is seen as a response to recent suspicions surrounding a monk from a prestigious university involving divorce and childbirth, which have stirred reactions inside and outside the Buddhist community.
Previously, an anonymous informant, Mr. A, sent emails to several media outlets claiming, "The monk, active in various fields, joined a small Buddhist sect that permits marriage, married a woman from the same sect, and had their first child. Later, he transferred to the Jogye Order and carried out a sham divorce." It was also alleged that even after joining the Jogye Order, he maintained a common-law relationship and had a second child, but after demanding separation, the children have grown up not knowing who their father is.
After the allegations surfaced, the publishing company that had an exclusive contract with Do-yeon stated, "We have discontinued the book and terminated the exclusive author management contract in agreement with the monk," adding, "All advance payments already made under the contract and the costs for destroying the books have been fully refunded."
Do-yeon's side has not made any statements since the controversy arose. Furthermore, he continued his active SNS activities.
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