A monk with political pull

A Buddhist monk has recently been at the center of political discourse, with his words eagerly listened to by politicians and journalists.

Ven. Beopryun is known to have led entrepreneur-turned-professor Ahn Cheol-soo to make lectures around the country to give comfort and encouragement to young people anxious about their future.

The program, called “Youth Concert,” ran for several months starting in May and drew a large audience. It helped build a broad support base for Ahn, who has been touted as a strong potential presidential candidate since he hinted at and then withdrew a bid for Seoul mayor in September.

The 58-year-old Buddhist leader told a group of ruling party lawmakers early this month he and Ahn had been pondering how to introduce politics fitting the spirit of times and historical missions. He suggested achieving peaceful unification and resolving polarization as the most urgent tasks facing the nation.

He drew keen attention from political circles last week by raising the need to form a new party during his public lecture in Osan, Gyeonggi Province.

“A new party should come out as the country would collapse if liberal and conservative, ruling and opposition forces continue to fight each other and regional antagonism persists,” said the monk, considered one of Ahn’s key mentors.

His remarks prompted criticism that he may have gone too far in addressing political matters, with some critics saying his place should be in the sanctuary, not in politics.

He took a step back, saying he had no intention of being involved in politics and just wished the best for the nation. But many observers note the monk, who has formed a broad network of connections with both liberal and conservative figures through his activities in religious, rights and environmental groups, is still positioned to play a significant role in the unfolding political realignment.

Ven. Beopryun has been giving lectures targeting middle-aged people since late September. He makes it a rule to end each lecture by making the audience recite a 10-point code of conduct including donating at least 1,000 won ($0.90) a day. What comes last in the list is “(I) will vote without fail.”

By Kim Kyung-ho