Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation's 'Naneun Jeollo' Gains Attention
'Buddhist Community's Efforts' to Address Low Birthrate Issue
As of 2020, the youth population in South Korea (ages 19 to 34) was 10,213,000, accounting for 20.4% of the total population. Among them, 7,837,000 were unmarried, representing 81.5% of the youth population. The government announced that it will release low birthrate statistical indicators by December next year, including reasons why young people are not marrying and current birth trends.
Amid growing social concerns about dating and marriage, a matchmaking program directly conducted by the Jogye Order has become a hot topic.
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Social Welfare Foundation held a 2-day, 1-night temple stay called "I Go to the Temple" at Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, on the 6th. Twenty unmarried men and women in their 30s, selected through fierce competition with a ratio of 15 to 1 for men and 19 to 1 for women (147 male applicants and 190 female applicants), participated to find connections.
Men and women talking while drinking tea (Incheon=Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Sewon = At the "I Go to the Temple" 1-night 2-day templestay held on the 6th at Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, organized by the Social Welfare Foundation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism for 20 unmarried men and women in their 30s, male and female participants are having a conversation over tea cups.
Unmarried Men and Women in Their 30s and Monks The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Social Welfare Foundation conducted a 2-day, 1-night temple stay program called "I Go to the Temple" on the 6th at Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, for 20 unmarried men and women in their 30s. Male and female participants are seen moving with monks.
[Photo by Yonhap News]
Participants arrived at Jeondeungsa Temple without prior information about each other's age, occupation, or names. They introduced themselves in unique ways and used nicknames instead of their real names.
One male participant said, “I am in my mid-30s, and since opportunities like this are rare, I was happy to meet peers. If I find a good connection here, I would like to go see the cherry blossoms together,” sharing his thoughts.
The Social Welfare Foundation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism conducted a 2-day, 1-night templestay program called "I Go to the Temple" on the 6th at Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, with 20 unmarried men and women in their 30s participating. Male and female participants are seen smiling. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Putting aside the awkwardness of the first meeting, they engaged in natural conversations through activities like hanging wish lanterns and spent time getting to know each other through self-introductions.
During dinner, small groups of like-minded people were seen eating together, and after the meal, affectionate scenes unfolded as participants strolled around the temple grounds, sharing stories they hadn’t finished telling.
At Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, the Social Welfare Foundation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism conducted a 2-day, 1-night templestay program called "I Go to the Temple" on the 6th, targeting 20 unmarried men and women in their 30s. Male and female participants are playing games. [Photo by Yonhap News]
At the nighttime recreation program, under the enthusiastic guidance of the host, groups of ten men and women held hands and exchanged glances, raising the atmosphere. Although the night deepened in the mountain temple, conversations among participants continued late into the night, concluding the first day’s program.
Without flashy profiles or costumes, everyone wore the same Buddhist robes and spent an ordinary 2-day, 1-night stay at the temple, but it seems quite a few participants felt something special. According to the organizers, a total of four couples submitted each other’s nicknames and were confirmed to be matched.
A pair of male and female participants are taking a walk during the 1-night, 2-day templestay program "I Go to the Temple," held on the 6th at Jeondeungsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, organized by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Social Welfare Foundation for 20 unmarried men and women in their 30s. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Myojang Sunim, CEO of the Jogye Order Social Welfare Foundation, which hosted the event, said, “Most participants came from Seoul and the Gyeonggi area. We hope this program will not remain exclusive to us but will spread more widely.” He added, “We plan to explore ways to expand support so that this can be held in temples operating temple stays across various regions.”
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