"Having a Second Child After Leaving Home"… Venerable Doyeon’s Late Confession

Privacy Allegations... "Sorry for Being Very Late"

Monk Doyeon, who applied for laicization from the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism amid privacy controversies, admitted on the 17th that "it is true that I had a second child after ordination in the Jogye Order."

On that day, Doyeon opened up on his Facebook, saying, "I apologize for the delay. I will tell the truth." He explained, "I have been hiding this fact until now. Due to related reports, suspicions were made into news articles, and I was investigated by the HoBeopBu (Disciplinary Department), but I did not admit to breaking the precepts by having a child. After that, I submitted a laicization request to the order."

He added, "Breaking the precepts and having a child as a Jogye Order monk was my first mistake, and by not admitting it and speaking falsely, I committed another mistake."

[Image source=Doyeon Facebook]

Doyeon said, "With a deeply repentant and contrite heart, I have been performing 108 prostrations daily for 100 days since July 7th," adding, "This path of repentance will not erase my sins, nor will it heal the hearts of many who are disappointed and hurt."

He apologized, saying, "Still, I want to reveal my faults and mistakes and repent in this way. I am sorry and deeply sorry to the Buddha, all Buddhist disciples, and everyone connected to me."

He also shared a YouTube video link showing himself performing the 108 prostrations, stating, "I will live my life repenting and cultivating good karma."

Meanwhile, Doyeon, who majored in electronic engineering at KAIST before ordaining, was active as a meditation instructor at Bongeunsa Temple and became known through posts and videos on social media.

However, last month, suspicions arose that he had a second child after ordination, and he submitted a laicization request to the Jogye Order expressing his intention to return to secular life. It is reported that the request has not been approved internally due to the Jogye Order’s General Secretary’s overseas trip and the temporary absence of staff.

After the controversy, Doyeon stated on his blog and other platforms, "I have lived as a practitioner and continue to do so. I lived as Seokha Sunim in my twenties, as Doyeon Sunim in my thirties, and plan to live as Doyeon Beopsa going forward."

According to the Standard Korean Language Dictionary by the National Institute of the Korean Language, Beopsa is defined as a monk who preaches or transmits the Dharma, but the Jogye Order clarified that there is no official position called Beopsa within the order.