At 6:50 pm on the 5th, a fire that is believed to be arson broke out in Daeungjeon, located inside Naejangsa Temple in Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do. Photo Jeonbuk Fire Department
– The Korean Buddhist Jogye Order said, “We express our sincere regrets to the public and the masses of masters in connection with the fire incident at Naejangsa Temple Daeungjeon” that occurred on the 5th.
Jo Gye-jong said on this day, “Before the wounds of the Daeungjeon fire incident 9 years ago were completely healed, a fire incident at Daeungjeon occurred again, and there is a media report that the internal public is believed to have set a fire on Daeungjeon intentionally.” He criticized, “The act of a monk belonging to the sect on fire deliberately set fire to Daeungjeon could not be justified by anything, and as a monk practitioner, it was an act that abandoned even the least morality.”
He then emphasized that “The Jogye Order will ensure that the highest level of disciplinary action stipulated by the Jong Constitution and Jong Law, which is the internal rule of the vertical, for arson-fired acts.”
He added, “We plan to thoroughly investigate the cause and background of the arson incident, and once again, we express our regrets for causing concern to the public and the masses of masters.”
The day before, around 6:50 pm, a fire broke out at Daewoongjeon, Naejangsa Temple. Fortunately, there was no human injury, but Daewoongjeon was burned down. The police arrested and investigated monk A (53) as an arson suspect. Mr. A was drinking alcohol at the time of arrest.
Naejangsa Temple was founded in 636, the 37th year of King Mu of Baekje, under the name of Youngeunsa. In 1557, in the 12th year of King Myeongjong of the Joseon Dynasty, Ambassador Heimuk changed the name to Naejangsa while singing Youngeunsa. Even in October 2012, a fire of unknown cause and the entire precincts of Daeungjeon were burned down. Jeongeup City has spent 2.5 billion won on the old site of Daeungjeon, which was burnt down by a fire, and restored the building.
Reporter Han Young-hye [email protected]
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