The former abbot of Bongamsa Temple, Venerable Myungjin, died on the 22nd while practicing freediving off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju Island. He was 76 years old. As a monastic practitioner, Venerable Myungjin often made outspoken remarks within and outside the Buddhist community, leading the reform movement in the Jogye Order. During his time as abbot of Bongamsa Temple, he implemented radical reforms. In the past, he faced disciplinary action, including the revocation of his monastic status, for criticizing the leadership of the Jogye Order's secretariat and the government. However, this was later overturned in court, and his monastic status was recently restored. Recently, Venerable Myungjin had been striving to overcome fear by practicing freediving.
