Leadership Development and Networking among Lay Buddhists in Korea

Wookee Jhin

Traditionally, lay Buddhist women in Korea have not pursued activist and leadership roles in the Buddhist world. Usually they have been satisfied to remain faithful devotees and provide financial assistance to temples and Buddhist causes. Recently, however, the situation has begun to change, with the development of two major lay Buddhist organizations developing members’ awareness about community activism and leadership skills.

The Buddhist Women’s Development Institute (BWDI) regularly selects "108 Buddhist Women" who have established themselves in the professional and art worlds. By offering regular seminars and workshops, BWDI not only provides women with training in leadership skills and Buddhist awareness, but also promotes networking among them.

BWDI also publishes books titled Buddhism and My Life. These books contain short life stories of the selected women that highlight their encounter with Buddhism, the contribution Buddhist practice has made to their professional and personal lives, and the ways they resolve the difficulties of life utilizing Buddhist teachings. Two books introducing the first and second groups of 108 Buddhist Women have already been published. The selection of the third group of 108 Buddhist Women was completed a few months ago. As the pool of recognized lay Buddhist women increases like this, BWDI eventually hopes to mobilize more women to actively work for a better society and to become opinion leaders in a Buddhist frame of mind.

Another lay organization, called Buddhist Solidarity for Reform (BSR), launched an education and networking program called My Leaders Club. Modeled after 53 teachers who taught Sudhana in the Flower Adornment Sutra, My Leaders Club consists of 53 lay Buddhists who attend a 12-week education program together. By the time they graduate, they are already good friends. My Leaders Club graduated a third group of 53 leaders in November, 2007, and is preparing now to select a fourth group. These organizations indicate that lay Buddhist women are ready to assume more active roles in their personal lives and in society.