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- The 6th International Conference on East Asian Religious Culture Successfully Concluded
On August 18, the Daesoon Academy of Sciences (President Bae Kyuhan) hosted the "6th International Conference on East Asian Religious Culture." The conference was held under the theme "Mutual Influence between Religious Scriptures and Civilizations." It brought together approximately 250 scholars from over 60 university research institutions across Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and Singapore. The event featured presentations by around 100 speakers across 28 sessions. These presentations led to diverse and in-depth discussions on the overall religious culture of East Asia, including Daesoon Jinrihoe and other East Asian new religions, as well as Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, and folk beliefs. Professor Li Hongjun of Yanbian University, who serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences' Chinese-language international academic journal, Journal of East Asian Religious Culture, expressed deep gratitude along with other participating scholars. They noted that "the Daesoon Academy of Sciences, as an international academic institution in this field, has significantly revitalized academic exchange—particularly between young and senior scholars—and is presenting a new paradigm for the study of East Asian religious culture."
2025-08-18
- Daejin University Foundation Signs Korea–Mongolia Education Cooperation Agreement with Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar
From August 4 to 7, a delegation from the Daejin University Educational Foundation visited Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and signed a Korea–Mongolia Education Cooperation Agreement with Bayangol District. The delegation included the Secretary General of the Daejin University Foundation, the Chair of the Development Committee for its affiliated high schools, principals from four affiliated high schools—Daejin High School, Ilsan Daejin High School, Daejin Design High School, and Daejin Electronics & Telecommunications High School—as well as staff from the International Exchange Office of Daejin University. The signing ceremony was held in Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar, and was attended by J. Batzaya, a member of the Bayangol District Council; Namsuren, an official in charge of external cooperation; Munkhtoya, an international exchange officer; principals from four Mongolian partner schools participating in the agreement; and principals from eight additional schools expressing interest in future cooperation. During the ceremony, participants proposed expanding cooperation beyond individual school partnerships to a broader exchange framework between the Daejin University Foundation and Bayangol District. This proposal was based on the fact that the foundation oversees six affiliated high schools, each with specialized academic tracks. In particular, Daejin High School, which focuses on science education, was highlighted as a key pathway for enhancing Mongolian students’ opportunities for university admission in Korea. Meanwhile, it was also reported that among 180 Mongolian students who visited Daejin High School and Daejin Girls’ High School in 2024, 20 students have submitted applications to Daejin University, demonstrating growing interest in higher education opportunities through this educational cooperation.
2025-08-08
- Scholars from the East Asian Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (EASSSR) Visit Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex
On July 21, 18 scholars from the East Asian Society for the Scientific Study of Religion (EASSSR) visited the Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex. The group included academics from various institutions worldwide, such as Xiamen University, Soochow University, Tsinghua University, and Wuhan University in China; National Chengchi University in Taiwan; and representatives from the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and Malaysia. During their visit, the scholars toured the temple grounds, viewed the museum exhibits, and held a meeting at the Book Café. Throughout the meeting, the scholars expressed profound interest in the administrative policies and thought of Daesoon Jinrihoe. The scholars showed particular interest in the social contributions of Daesoon Jinrihoe, asking questions such as, "How are social activities conducted?", "How are the sincere offerings (donations) collected and utilized?", and "Is there a connection to Taoism?" Regarding the relationship with other religions, Bae Kyuhan, President of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences, explained, "In Daesoon Jinrihoe, elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism exist as cultural components." He added, "We are an independent Korean religion that follows the faith of Holy Kang Jeungsan and practices His teachings."
2025-07-25
- National Academic Conference Commemorating the Designation of the Birthplace of Holy Teacher Jeungsan Kang Il-sun as a Religious Cultural Heritage of Jeonbuk “The Sangsaeng Thought of Resolution of Grievances and Grateful Reciprocation of Favors: From the Center of Modern Korean Thought to World Thought”
On June 27th, a national academic conference commemorating the designation of the birthplace of Holy Teacher Jeungsan as a religious cultural heritage was successfully held at Kim Kwang-su Hall in Jinsudang, Jeonbuk National University. The event was attended by over 200 distinguished guests from various fields. Under the theme “Jeonbuk Thought as the Center of Modern Korean Thought,” the conference was hosted by the Daesoon Academy of Sciences (Chairman Bae Kyu-Han) of Daejin University and co-organized by several academic institutions, including the Jeongeup Academy Research Group. It was supported by Jeonbuk State, the Jeonbuk State Office of Education, Jeonbuk National University, and the Jeonbuk Federation of Cultural Centers. During the conference, notable figures including Kim Kwan-young (Governor of Jeonbuk State), Moon Seung-woo (Chairman of the Jeonbuk State Council), Yang O-bong (President of Jeonbuk National University), and Eileen Barker (Professor Emeritus at the London School of Economics) delivered congratulatory remarks. They celebrated the designation of Holy Teacher Jeungsan's birthplace as a religious cultural heritage of Jeonbuk State and emphasized the global significance of his The Grateful Reciprocation of Favors for Mutual Beneficence (Boeun-Sangsaeng) philosophy, rooted in Resolution of Grievances (Haewon) and Grateful Reciprocation of Favors (Boeun). The birthplace was first designated as a "Local Cultural Heritage of Jeongeup" on May 14, 2021, and was elevated to a "Religious Cultural Heritage of Jeonbuk State" in October 2024. This conference was organized to commemorate this milestone. Major media outlets, including KBS, JTV, Chosun Ilbo, and JoongAng Ilbo, covered the event. The keynote presentations highlighted not only the historical and cultural value of the birthplace but also provided a modern reinterpretation of Holy Teacher Jeungsan’s life and thought. It served as a meaningful platform to seek a shift in perception and a spirit of the times that could lead today’s world—marked by conflict and mutual contention—toward reconciliation and Mutual Beneficence (Sangsaeng). The conference was conducted in three parts. In Part 1 (Keynote Presentations, chaired by Prof. Na Jong-woo), Professor Kim Ik-doo (Jeonbuk National University) interpreted Jeungsan’s thought as a philosophy of "Resolution of Grievances, Mutual Beneficence, and Great Unity (Daedong)," encompassing Western, Northern, Eastern, and Southern Learning. Chairman Bae Kyu-Han (Daejin University) and Dr. Heo Jeong-ju (Jeonbuk National University) proposed specific plans for the restoration and utilization of the birthplace, offering multi-faceted policy suggestions for the future of religious cultural heritage. Professor Cha Sun-geun (Daejin University) highlighted the transformative meaning of Jeungsan’s practical "Gaebyeok" (Great Opening) thought as a religious movement. He argued that Jeungsan’s thought, philosophy, and religion represent the most quintessential "K-Thought, K-Philosophy, and K-Religion," receiving high praise from the audience. Part 2 (Thematic Presentations, chaired by Prof. Jung Jae-seo) summarized the historical flow of Jeonbuk thought, reconstructing the lineage of regional thinking prior to the emergence of Jeungsan’s thought. It revealed that various traditions—from the Pungryudo of the Three Kingdoms period to the Seon-Gyo integration of Baegun Gyeonghan in the Goryeo Dynasty, and the Silhak and Donghak of the Joseon Dynasty—served as the foundation for Jeonbuk thought. Specific presentations were given by Prof. Choi Young-seong (Korea National University of Cultural Heritage), Prof. Park Kwang-yeon (Dongkuk University), Prof. Cho Young-mi (Dongkuk University), Prof. Kim Baek-nyeong (Chuncheon National University of Education), Prof. Choi Il-bum (Sungkyunkwan University), and Prof. Ahn Shin (Pai Chai University, President of the Korean Association for the History of Religions). Part 3 (Comprehensive Discussion, chaired by Prof. Choi Young-chan) featured in-depth debates with designated discussants such as Prof. Ahn Hu-sang (Chonnam National University) and Prof. Kim Seong-hwan (Kunsan National University). They discussed the universality of Jeungsan thought as a spirit of the times and its potential to develop into a global philosophy. This conference served as an academic milestone, proving that Holy Teacher Jeungsan’s thought has played a central role as a convergent horizon for modern Korean thought. Regarding the birthplace, participants suggested that it should function not only as a religious sanctuary but also as a complex cultural space through projects such as "Sangsaeng Pilgrimage Routes," cultural experience content, and regional history education programs, thereby serving as a hub for regional revitalization. Chairman Bae Kyu-Han stated, "This conference academically proves that Jeonbuk is not merely a regional base for thought but a central axis of modern Korean thought and a fertile ground for intellectual convergence and creation. It is a meaningful time to suggest the possibility of Jeonbuk thought becoming a universal spirit of the times that the global community can empathize with." He added, "In particular, this will be a platform to solidify the cultural-historical significance and global philosophical value of the designation of Holy Teacher Jeungsan’s birthplace as a religious cultural heritage." President Kim Ik-doo remarked, "As a modern Korean thought, 'Resolution of Grievances, Mutual Beneficence, and Great Unity' is a convergent horizon that responds to social challenges such as division, conflict, and the loss of community. It is a practical philosophy that offers specific ways to lead our society and the future world toward a better place."
2025-07-06
- The Daesoon Academy of Sciences Hosts the 3rd Joint Academic Conference with the Institute of Asian Religious Studies
On May 31st, the 3rd Joint Academic Conference, co-hosted by the Daesoon Academy of Sciences (Chairman Bae Kyu-Han ) and the Institute of Asian Religious Studies (Director Yoon Yong-bok), was held at the International Conference Room in the Daejin Education Building of Daejin University. The theme of the conference was "Conflict, Reconciliation, and Religious Studies." Renowned scholars from Korea and abroad attended the event, including Professor Choi Jong-seong from Seoul National University, Professors Cho Hyun-bum and Han Seung-hoon from the Academy of Korean Studies, and Professor Furuta Tomidate from Tezukayama Gakuin University. A total of nine research papers were presented at the conference. Deep discussions were held on a wide range of topics covering both the past and present, such as Professor Cha Sun-geun’s (Daejin University) paper, "Religious Perspectives on Korea-Japan Conflicts at the Boundary of Grudges and Reconciliation," which received a great response from the participating researchers. In his welcoming remarks, Chairman Bae Kyu-Han stated, "In the context of East Asia, where diverse religious traditions and belief systems intersect, religion sometimes acts as a mechanism for division. However, it is simultaneously a powerful ethical source for healing, reconciliation, the realization of the common good, and mutual beneficence (Sangsaeng)." He added, "I hope that today’s discussions will provide constructive inspiration not only to the domestic and international religious studies communities but also to our society as a whole."
2025-06-02
