On October 13, 2024, the final event of the Korea-U.S. Traditional Culture Exchange was the grand ceremony celebrating the 50th anniversary of Wongaksa Temple. Around 500 attendees, including 120 representatives led by President Venerable Jinwoo, along with members of the Wongaksa lay congregation, gathered for the occasion.

The ceremony honored the temple’s half-century legacy of sharing Korean Buddhist tradition, practice, and compassion with New York. Korean-American Buddhists, as well as various religious leaders from the local community, came together to strengthen community bonds through traditional Buddhist culture and reaffirm the teachings of Buddhism.

In his speech, Venerable Jinwoo expressed, “I hope Wongaksa will play a pivotal role as an advanced outpost for the Jogye Order’s mission to globalize Korean Ganhwaseon meditation and thus pave the way for a resurgence in Buddhism. I am confident that Wongaksa’s achievements, which would not have been possible without a great aspiration, will serve as a symbol of Dharma propagation in this era.” 

He continued, expressing his gratitude to the congregation, including Jeongdaewonhaeng, head of the Wongaksa lay congregation, and all the members who had dedicated themselves to the temple’s efforts. “The results of tireless efforts undertaken with patience and diligence are beginning to bear fruit.” he said.