Notification regarding the Revision of the “Act on the Special Overseas District”

For more systemized support and management of Buddhist temples and Dharma propagation centers in overseas countries, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism plans to establish an integrated special overseas district which was separately operated by country and region so far.  

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Headquarters announced the notification regarding the upcoming revision of the “Act on the Special Overseas District” on February 20. According to the revised Act, the special overseas district, which previously referred to “the district dedicated to overseas Dharma propagation in each country or region”, now indicates “the integrated district which looks after overall support and management of overseas Dharma propagation”. In addition, the office of the newly established district will be located in Korea and the previous district will be operated as an “overseas branch”.

Importantly, the revision eliminates bureaucratic challenges by allowing the process of registration of Buddhist temples in overseas countries as Jogye Order temples to take place based on the “Act on Management and Support of Corporations”. The existing Special Overseas District Act states registration of a corporation as a precondition for an overseas Jogye Order temple according to the pertinent country’s law. However, difficult registration processes and several documents that do not meet registration criteria have caused concerns, as registering a corporation itself is difficult in some countries.

Criteria for the establishment of overseas branches have been eased from 10 or over affiliated temples or Dharma propagation centers and 20 or over Buddhist monks or nuns to 5 or over temples or centers and 10 or over monastics. Importantly, now a liaison office can be designated when the criteria are not met for potential establishment of overseas branches. An overseas branch chairman is appointed by the chairman of the special overseas district and the term is for two years.    

It is expected that the passage of the Act for integrated and systemized management system for Jogye Order temples and Dharma propagation centers in overseas countries overseen by the domestic entity will significantly contribute to international Dharma propagation.

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Headquarters highlighted the goal of the upcoming revision, “even with the Act on the Special Overseas District legislated in 2011, we still have a long way to go to support and promote Dharma propagation efforts of overseas temples except for the special district of the east region in America. The upcoming revision aims to raise awareness of operation of Buddhist temples in overseas countries and review supporting schemes through reorganization focusing on practical assistance for the overseas temples”.   

Opinions and feedbacks regarding the revision will be received from February 20 to March 2. 

Article reference: http://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=96739