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- Scholars of the 4th World Sangsaeng Forum 2025 Visit the Yeoju Headquarters Temple of Daesoon Jinrihoe
The 4th World Sangsaeng Forum was held on October 24 and 25 at the Daesoon Education Hall of Daejin University under the theme “Reconciliation, Mutual Beneficence, and Religion.” Hosted by the Daesoon Academy of Sciences, the forum was attended by world-renowned scholars such as Professor Eileen Barker of the London School of Economics, Gordon Melton of Baylor University, Livia Kohn of Boston University, Massimo Introvigne, director of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), Bernadette Rigal-Cellard of Bordeaux Montaigne University, Ahn Shin, President of the Korean Association for the Study of Religion, as well as various academics from Korea and abroad. Religious figures also participated, including Chang Hsin-Fang, Vice President of Taiwan’s Yu-Shin Shengjiao University, Cheng Kuo-Nan, abbot of Taiwan’s Holy Mother Palace, and Tran Khanh, former president of the Overseas Mission Society of Vietnam’s Cao Dai religion. In addition, Sasaki Kyoko, Deputy Mayor of Kameoka City in Japan, attended the forum as well. The forum consisted of a total of five parts with 15 sessions, featuring 64 academic presentations and in-depth discussions. After concluding the forum at noon on the 25th, the scholars visited the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex of Daesoon Jinrihoe. The visiting scholars joined a dinner prepared by the temple after touring the Yeoju Headquarters Temple. Held at the café lounge on the first floor of the museum, the dinner was attended by approximately 300 guests, including Lee Choong-woo, Mayor of Yeoju, Park Doo-hyung, Chairman of the Yeoju City Council, Na Jong-woo, former Director of the Jeonju Cultural Center, as well as advisory board members, executive committee members, and leaders of the religious order, who warmly welcomed the scholars of the World Sangsaeng Forum. At the dinner, Director Yun Eundo remarked, “Sharing food together is considered the warmest greeting, as it means sharing hearts and continuing the bond of our relationship,” and expressed his hope, saying, “I wish for tonight’s dinner to become a true place of mutual beneficence, where we respect each other’s cultures and share our spirits.” In her congratulatory remarks on behalf of the scholars, Professor Bernadette Rigal-Cellard stated, “This forum was an opportunity to gain spiritual and intellectual nourishment. The traditional Korean wooden architecture of Daesoon Jinrihoe offered aesthetic nourishment, and this dinner is now providing physical nourishment,” expressing her heartfelt gratitude. Director Bae Gyuhan of the Institute for Daesoon Thought said, “It is highly meaningful to discuss how religion, which has long stood at the center of conflict and reconciliation, can realize world peace through the principles of compassion, love, and mutual beneficence.” He added, “Through this forum, I feel that the ‘Sangsaeng Civilization Discourse,’ which the Institute aims to develop for sustainable peace and coexistence of humanity, has been strengthened even further.”
2025-10-26
- Seven Taiwanese Taoist Temples Visit Yeoju Headquarters Temple for the 2nd Korea–Taiwan Religious Exchange
On September 23, a delegation of 45 members from seven Taoist temples in Taiwan—Oilsong Moguang Temple, Dayaa Yingxing Temple, Beigang Wude Temple, Beigang Zhaoqian Temple, Shimen Jingang Temple, Songshan Zhaowu Temple, and Xinhang Fengtian Temple—visited the Yeoju Headquarters Temple of Daesoon Jinrihoe. The purpose of this visit was to promote mutual exchange between Daesoon Jinrihoe and Taiwan’s Taoist temples. During the event, the delegation engaged in various activities, including a temple tour, a visit to the museum, an inter-organizational exchange meeting, a discussion with the Head Administrator, and a welcome banquet, fostering deeper understanding between the two traditions. During the meeting, Temple Master Wu Jin-Lian of Oilsong Moguang Temple remarked, “Each time I visit Daesoon Jinrihoe, I am deeply impressed by the unchanging and continuous dedication to cultivation,” expressing her hope that “through sustained exchange between our two traditions, we can pass down a better environment for cultivation to future generations.” In the welcoming remarks delivered at the banquet, Head Administrator Yun Eun-do stated, “Our order seeks to realize the ideal of Haewon-Sangsaeng by putting into practice three major undertakings. To uphold these religious values in society is an important mission shared by religious communities in both Korea and Taiwan.” He added, “Once the International Training Center currently under construction at the Yeoju Headquarters Temple is completed, it will further expand the opportunities for mutual exchange in practicing these values. I hope today’s interreligious exchange will serve as a valuable milestone in opening the path toward future cooperation.”
2025-09-23
- Daesoon Academy of Sciences and Daesoon Institute of Religious and Cultural Studies Attend the 23rd IAHR World Congress
From August 29 to 30, 2025, the Daesoon Academy of Sciences and the Daesoon Institute of Religious and Cultural Studies participated in the 23rd World Congress of the International Association for the History of Religions (IAHR), held at Jagiellonian University in Poland. The IAHR is widely regarded as the most prestigious international academic organization in the field of religious studies, comprising national associations that represent their respective countries and playing a leading role in shaping scholarly standards and research directions in the discipline. Held under the theme “Beyond Europe: Religions in an Interconnected World,” the congress brought together more than 1,000 scholars of religion from around the world for active presentations and discussions. At the congress, Chairman Bae Kyu-han of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences and research fellow Dr. Jason Greenberger presented a paper titled “Elder Care as Filial Piety: Religious Inspirations Embedded in Elderly Welfare Facilities of Daesoon Jinrihoe.” In addition, Professor Cha Seon-geun of the Department of Daesoon Studies presented “A Religion That Does Not Wish to Be Called a ‘Religion,’” while Director Park Sang-gyu of the Daesoon Institute of Religious and Cultural Studies and Professor Kim Jin-young of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies jointly presented “Forgotten Identities: Immigrant Religions and Multicultural Policies in Korea.” Furthermore, Research Professor Lee Soo-hyun of Kyung Hee University presented “Cosmology and Environmental Ethics in East Asian New Religions: An Exploration of Ecological Practices in Daesoon Jinrihoe, Tenrikyo, and Yiguandao.” These high-level academic presentations provided a meaningful opportunity to introduce Daesoon Thought and Daesoon Jinrihoe to the global community of scholars in religious studies.
2025-08-31
- Taiwanese Scholar Visits Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex
On August 19, Associate Professor Chang Hsiao-fen (張曉芬) from the Center for General Education at the Army Academy R.O.C. in Taiwan visited the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex of Daesoon Jinrihoe. Professor Chang is a distinguished scholar specializing in the development of Chinese Confucian Classics, Ming and Qing academic thought, Buddhist studies, and the I Ching (Book of Changes). After touring the temple complex, the museum, and the social welfare foundation, Professor Chang remarked, "Having a deep interest in the social welfare activities of religious organizations, I have been actively involved in volunteer work with university students in Taiwan." She added, "I am highly impressed by the Three Major Works of Daesoon Jinrihoe, which are conducted on such a grand scale." Furthermore, she noted, "There are striking similarities between Daesoon Thought and the 'Integration of the Three Religions' (Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism) practiced by I-Kuan Tao in Taiwan." Expressing a strong desire to conduct an in-depth study of Daesoon Thought, she requested relevant academic materials for her future research.
2025-08-25
- Unveiling Ceremony of the Copper Plaque Commemorating the Birthplace of Holy Kang Jeungsan as a Religious Cultural Heritage of Jeonbuk State
On August 21, a copper plaque unveiling ceremony was held at the birthplace of the Supreme God of the Ninth Heaven (located at 64 Sinsong-gil, Deokcheon-myeon, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do) to commemorate its designation as a Religious Cultural Heritage site of Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing State. The event was attended by approximately 280 people, including officials from Jeongeup City, representatives from the religious, academic, and cultural arts communities, and local residents. As the birthplace of the Supreme God of the Ninth Heaven has been officially designated as a religious cultural heritage site, the ceremony was organized to publicly commemorate the life and thought of Sangje, as well as the historical and cultural value of the site, ensuring that the importance of local spiritual culture and heritage is passed down to future generations. In his commemorative speech, Yun Eundo President stated, "This is the place imbued with the life and spirit of Holy Kang Jeungsan, who sought to fundamentally heal the wounds of the suffering and marginalized during the turbulent end of the Joseon Dynasty, and to transform a world marked by confrontation and conflict into one of harmony and mutual beneficence (Sangsaeng). It is a sacred site of Sangsaeng culture where the practical philosophy of Resolution of Grievances and Gratitude (Haewon and Boeun) was born." He added, "I hope this space serves as a source of cultural pride for the region, a wellspring of thought for academia to save people and the world, and a lighthouse illuminating a future of reconciliation and Sangsaeng for all humanity." Following this, Lee Hak-soo, the Mayor of Jeongeup, delivered a congratulatory address, saying, "We will strive to create an environment where both citizens and visitors can enjoy the local cultural heritage of Jeongeup as a precious historical resource." Through this designation and unveiling ceremony, there is high anticipation that the birthplace of the Supreme God of the Ninth Heaven will be restored as an open cultural heritage site embodying the philosophy of Sangsaeng and reborn as a symbol of hope extending beyond the region to the world. Meanwhile, members of Daesoon Jinrihoe prepared an abundance of food, including rice cakes and fruit, to share with the residents of Deokcheon-myeon, creating a festive atmosphere of harmony. It was also noted that they diligently cleaned the area from the parking lot to the village entrance before and after the event.
2025-08-21
