Headquarters’ News
- 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.”
2025-11-15
- 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
Reasearch Activities
- 2024 Second Half Academic Conference of the Asian Research Institute for Religion Held at Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex
The '2024 Second Half Academic Conference of the Asian Research Institute for Religion' was held on January 4th in the International Conference Room of the Daesoon Jinrihoe Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex. About 30 Korean religious studies researchers participated in the conference, including Emeritus Professor Seo Yeongdae of Inha University, Chair Professor Kang Dongoo of the Daesoon Thought Academy, Professor Choi Jongsoung of Seoul National University, and Professor Han Seung-hoon of the Academy of Korean Studies. They presented a total of 9 papers, followed by critiques and discussions. During the event, Professor Na Kwon-soo of the Daesoon Academy of Scienes presentation's, 'A Multi-Dimensional Approach to the Interpretation of Mujagi (Selflessness) in Daesoon Jinrihoe,' and Researcher Pyeon Gyeong-il's presentation, 'A Study on the Influence of Late Joseon Folk Taoism on Daesoon Jinrihoe,' garnered significant attention.
2025-01-04
- Hosting of the 5th International Conference on East Asian Religious Culture
On August 28, the Daesoon Academy of Sciences (Director Bae Kyu-han) held the 5th International Conference on East Asian Religious Culture online. Approximately 200 researchers from 49 universities and research institutes across Korea, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Australia, and Germany attended this conference. Held under the theme of "Mutual Understanding and Exchange of East Asian Religious Culture," the event featured 62 presenters and 15 scholars serving as discussants and moderators. The conference facilitated diverse discussions and in-depth debates on East Asian religious culture, covering topics such as Daesoon Jinrihoe, East Asian New Religions, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Folk Beliefs. Meanwhile, scholars including Professor Li Hongjun of Yanbian University and Professor Huang Yongfeng of Xiamen University—who serve as Editors-in-Chief of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences' Chinese-language international journal, Journal of East Asian Religious Culture—expressed their sincere gratitude. They acknowledged the Daesoon Academy of Sciences as a leading international academic institution in the field of East Asian religious culture, particularly for establishing an academic research and international exchange network where young scholars can thrive, and for disseminating those achievements.
2024-08-28
Charity Aid
- Daejin University Conducts Volunteer Activities in Vietnam
From January 6 to 16, Daejin University carried out overseas volunteer activities in Vietnam. The volunteer program took place in Thai Nguyen Province and Bac Giang Province, with the participation of 20 Daejin University students, 4 faculty and staff members, and 14 members of the Daesoon International Volunteer Association (DIVA). At Hoa Binh Middle School in Thai Nguyen Province, the volunteer group conducted health and environmental education programs focusing on practical daily habits such as proper handwashing and waste separation. In addition, they planted flowers and trees around the school and carried out art education activities by creating colorful murals, receiving a positive response from students and local residents. The volunteers also conducted a Korean language program at Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, where they engaged with local university students and shared cultural experiences by introducing representative travel destinations from Korea and Vietnam. After moving to Bac Giang Province, the volunteer group visited households affected by Typhoon Yagi (2024). They assisted with post-disaster recovery efforts by cleaning surrounding areas and repainting walls in bright colors, contributing to the psychological well-being of residents and supporting community recovery. A local official expressed appreciation, stating, “We are deeply grateful for the dedication of the volunteer group. The various educational activities and environmental improvement efforts carried out by the students have brought positive changes to the local community.”
2025-01-17
- Daejin International Volunteers Association (DIVA) Awarded Certificate of Merit by Vietnam's VUFO in 2024
On December 20, 2024, DIVA (Daejin International Volunteers Association) received a Certificate of Merit from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO). This certificate is highly significant as it was awarded to only 35 out of 387 international NGOs operating in Vietnam. DIVA was honored with this award in recognition of its efforts to aid marginalized residents in Vietnam through various activities, including delivering emergency relief funds for Typhoon YAGI, conducting medical volunteer services, implementing water and sanitation projects, and undertaking educational environment improvement projects. The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) is a government agency responsible for diplomacy, functioning to promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation and assistance with foreign countries.
2024-12-20
Social Welfare
- Moroccan Medical Team Trains on Surgical Robots at Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital
On June 27, three specialists in surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and urology from the Military Hospital Mosque Marrakech in Morocco visited Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital to receive training on a domestically manufactured surgical robot. This training follows the introduction of REVO-I, the first Korean-made surgical robot, at Agadir University Hospital—a Moroccan national hospital—in December of last year. At Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, the Moroccan medical team shared insights on the process of introducing REVO-I and training methodologies, and exchanged opinions on precision surgery, minimally invasive techniques, infection control, and operational convenience.
2024-06-27
- Vietnam PACCOM Visits Bundang Jaesaeng General Hospital
On June 3, the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee (PACCOM)—an organization under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam—visited Bundang Jaesaeng General Hospital. The delegation included Vu Ngoc Hung, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs (COMINGO), the supervisory body for all INGO-related matters in Vietnam, and concurrently as Vice President of VUFO (Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations), PACCOM’s parent organization; Le Thi Thu Trang, Head of PACCOM’s Asia-Pacific Department; and staff member Mai Thi Hang. They visited Korea to participate in the annual general meeting of the Korea NGO Council, which includes the Daesoon International Volunteer Association (DIVA), as well as to meet with the Daesoon Foundation for Medical Welfare and the Korean Red Cross. During their visit to Bundang Jaesaeng General Hospital, the PACCOM delegation toured the hospital’s medical facilities operated by the Daesoon Foundation for Medical Welfare and discussed plans for a medical volunteer program scheduled to take place in Lang Son Province this October.
2024-06-03
Education
- Daejin Electronic and Telecommunications High School Conducts International Faculty Exchange with Japanese High School
On February 4, 11 teachers from Daejin Electronic and Telecommunications High School (Principal: Kim Jaehak) visited Sasebo Commercial High School in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, where they participated in a four-night, five-day international exchange program. This program marked a step forward from the student exchanges held in both countries in July and November of last year. As part of the initiative, subject-area teachers from Daejin Electronic and Telecommunications High School visited Sasebo Commercial High School to present and discuss specialized curricula, engaging in meaningful faculty-level exchanges focused on vocational education. Vice Principal Park Jeong-geun, who led the delegation, stated, “I hope this exchange will go beyond a one-time meeting and become an opportunity to build lasting cooperation and friendship.” He added, “Through this experience, I expect both students and teachers to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s cultures and educational approaches, and to cultivate a broader global perspective and a spirit of collaboration suited to the global era.”
2025-02-10
- Daesoon Academy of Sciences Delivers Special Lecture on Daesoon Thought at West Valley College
On October 18, the Daesoon Academy of Sciences (Chairman: Bae Gyuhan) delivered a special lecture on Daesoon Thought at West Valley College in the United States. The lecture was conducted as part of courses in Ethnology and Introduction to Social Justice. It featured a presentation by Dr. Jason Greenberger introducing the educational initiatives and social welfare activities of Daesoon Jinrihoe, followed by a lecture by Dr. Kim Taesu explaining key doctrines of Daesoon Jinrihoe, including the View of Sangje (the Supreme God) and Cheonji Gongsa (the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth). Students showed strong interest in the distinctive cultivation practices and spiritual experiences unique to Daesoon Jinrihoe. Many questions were raised regarding differences from other religions, as well as practical approaches to prayer and spiritual training. Professor Thien-Huong T. Ninh of West Valley College, who organized the lecture, commented, “This special lecture provided a meaningful opportunity to introduce the academic value of Daesoon Thought to American college students.”
2024-10-19
