Most Venerable Bhiksuni Gwang Yong

South Korea

Most Venerable Bhiksuni Gwang Yong

South Korea

President of the Korean Bhiksunis' Association of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Most Venerable Bhiksuni Gwang Yong was born in 1953 and began her monastic life in 1972 at Bucheon Solimsa Temple under the guidance of Venerable Bhiksuni Ji-won. In 1979 she received full Bhiksuni ordination.

Throughout her 50 years of dedicated practice, she has used her time effectively. In 1979 she graduated from Bongnyeongsa Monastic College. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Buddhism from Dongguk University in 1992 and 2007 respectively. Then she took graduate training in Psychology, 2008-2011, and obtained qualifications as a psychological counselor.

From 2013-2015, she served as the Director of the Buddhist Counseling Institute affiliated with the Department of Propagation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. From 2016-present, she has served as the Director of the Bongnyeongsa Moyeom Buddhist Culture Foundation. From 2019-2023, she served as the Vice-President of the 12^th^ Korean Bhikkhunis' Association and in 2023 was inaugurated as the 13^th^ President.

In 1994 Most Venerable Bhiksuni Gwang Yong opened the Dae-lim Dharma Center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, the capital of South Korean in an effort to provide a new practice space for urban dwellers. In 1999 she founded Seongnimsa in Mapo-gu, Seoul, and served in community outreach as the President of the Mapo-gu Buddhist Union. In 2018 she established the first Buddhist mindfulness group, "Bulsimhoe" for civil servants who worked at Mapo-gyu Office.

In addition, the Most Venerable Bhiksuni Gwang Yong served as the Director of a Suicide Prevention Center and a Psychological Counseling Center. She extended services to civil servants, visited military bases, correctional facilities and contributed to psychological healing through missionary counseling.

In 2011 she received the Merit Award from the Buddhist Counseling Development Institute affiliated with the Department of Propagation of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. In 2019 she received commendation in the field of culture and arts from the District Head of Mapo-gu, Seoul. In 2020 the Mapo Police Station presented her with a letter of appreciation, and Dongguk University presented her with the CEO Merit Award.

Most Venerable Bhiksuni Gwang Yong integrated Buddhism and Psychology for the benefit of humanity; she is a great blessing to the Triple Gems!