Constitution of the Taego Order

After the introduction of Buddhism to Korea, Korean Buddhists founded a teaching school and a Zen school, and both schools prospered throughout the Silla Dynasty.  Ultimately, these two schools split into five teaching schools and nine Zen schools respectively, and each school established their own independent characteristics of cultivation.  Later on, however, those fourteen schools aggressively competed with one another and many conflicts ensued.  At the end of the Korye Dynasty, though, Master Taego Bowoo promoted Ekayana (one vehicle). As a result, Master Taego Bowoo established a unique form for Korean Buddhism.

The Cho Sun Dynasty suppressed Buddhism, and therefore, Korean Buddhism was kept from expanding for a long period of time.  Recently, however, the Taego Order was founded based on the principles of Master Taego Bowoo, which are: the pursuit of ultimate integration, the combination of samadhi and prajna (the ultimate goal of Mahayana Buddhism), and educating people on the path to enlightenment.  The main concern of the Taego Order is to find a way to best fit into modern society.  

We, the Sangha of the Taego Order, pursue the teachings of self-enlightenment as well as the enlightenment of others, and we also seek to pair wise conduct with amicable sense.  Our main teachings are based on Shakyamuni Buddha’s teaching, and we make every effort to continue his method of practice as we feel that this is the Mission with which Shakyamuni Buddha entrusted us.  Moreover, we strive to unify our Sangha and to share with them the messages of Shakyamuni Buddha as well as the messages of Master Taego Bowoo.  We must endlessly cultivate ourselves to share our compassion with all people in the mundane world and to spread the Buddha-Dharma.  This is our Mission.  

All members of the Taego Sangha should follow the constitution and the characteristics of this order – to maintain Shakyamuni Buddha’s teaching and his compassionate mission that manifests itself iridescently to those who are suffering.  Under the protection of Shakyamuni Buddha we, the Taego Order, proclaim great prosperity for all beings.  

Constitution of American/European Parish

The American/European Parish was founded in 2006 by the former President, Most Venerable Un-San, of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order and by Venerable Jongmae Park.  This Parish was established in order to facilitate the inclusion of Venerable Jongmae and his disciples into the Taego Order.  As a result, a new, Overseas Parish had to be created for the foreign Sangha and its congregations.  Most Venerable Un-San, Venerable Dr. Jongmae Park and Venerable Bup-Hyon determined the format and parameters of this newly established Parish, and the Central Council of the Taego Order gave its approval to its existence.  This Overseas Parish includes North and South America and Europe.  The members of this Parish include monks (Bhikkhus and Bhikkunis) Dharma Instructors, and their individual congregations.  

Anyone wishing to become a clergy member of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order’s Overseas Parish must complete a two year course through IBS Austria, which is also affiliated with the Dong-Bang Buddhist University and College based in Seoul, South Korea.  Following successful completion of this course, individuals will qualify for status as a Samanera or a Samaneri, and they will receive diplomas signed by both the President of IBS Austria and the President of Dong-Bang Buddhist College.  Students of IBS Austria are also required to participate in semi-yearly retreats on matters such as protocol and to allow for direct instruction.  Failure to participate in the retreat aspect of IBS Austria will preclude students from religious promotion.

Bhikku or Bhikkuni ordinations (known as full ordinations) may follow the Samanera or Samaneri ordination (from any order) after a four-year period of evaluation, presuming the candidate possesses and Associate’s Degree in Buddhist Studies or the equivalent.  

The Bishop of the Overseas Parish will be elected by the Parishioners to a four-year term (there is no limit to the number of terms that Bishop may serve).  If no qualified candidates exist, the Central Council will appoint a Bishop, and of course, all elections are pending until the approval of the Central Council.  To serve as a Bishop of the Overseas Parish, one must be a priest who is fully ordained (Bhikku or Bhikkuni), and as this is the Overseas Parish, there is not preference as to the race, gender or ethnicity of the candidate. 

The Bishop of the Overseas Parish will have a Secretary-general to aid in the execution of all internal affairs of the Parish.  He or She will also have the ability to appoint (or remove) as many Regional Directors as are necessary for the smooth functioning of the Parish.  Regional Directors will also be entitled to their own secretaries, but appeals may be made the Central Council regarding any appointment (or removal).  

Disciplinary actions as well as the meting out of rewards will follow the same process as that of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order.  In some circumstance appeals may be made to the Central Council regarding certain disciplinary matters.

The head Temple of the Overseas Parish will be where the Bishop of the Parish resides, though under special circumstances, the location of the head Temple may be changed as is needed.  

The Overseas Parish will use the head of the Educational Department of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order as its direct line of official contact.  The Supervisor of the Educational Department of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order is also functions as a Secretary for the Overseas Parish.

The Overseas Parish (as of 2006) possesses six North American Districts and one European District.  These are:

U.S. Western District – California and Arizona

U.S. Central District – Missouri and Illinois

U.S. Southern District – Georgia, Florida, and New Mexico

U.S. Northern District – Michigan and Wisconsin

U.S. Eastern District – New York, New Jersey, and Virginia

Canadian District (to be divided in the future)

European District (to be divided in the future)

The Overseas Parish has the right to maintain its own ordination platform to bestow the five- or ten-precepts to lay practitioners.  In special circumstances, the Overseas Parish may also ordain Dharma Instructors locally.  Samanera and Samaneri (or higher) ordinations must take place at the Supreme Ordination Platform of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order, located in South Korea.  

For any matter not covered in this constitution, the regulations and procedures of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order’s constitution are to be followed.  In the event of any conflict or disagreement over regulation or procedures, the President or Central Council of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order will have the final word.  

* The contents of this constitution were determined in 2006 during discussions over the establishment of the Overseas Parish between Most Venerable Un-San Lee, Venerable Dr. Jongmae Park, Venerable Bup-Hyon Min, and Rev. Myong Jun Choi.  This constitution was converted to document form by Rev. Hae Joong Maxwell.  The original Korean and English versions have been sent to the Educational Department of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order in 2006.

Signed by:

          Most Venerable Un-San Lee, President of Taego Order

          Venerable Dr. Jongmae Kenneth Park, Bishop of Overseas Parish