Video surfaces showing Jogye monks engaged in high-stakes poker

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A video (below) has surfaced showing eight senior South Korean Jogye Order monks engaging in high-stakes poker, with some one billion won (approx. $ 875,300) being gambled. While it is still unclear where the funds came from, one news item suggests that the money might have been charitable donations. Ven. Seongho, a Jogye monk speaking to Reuters, said, "Basically, Buddhist rules say don't steal. Look at what they did, they abused money from Buddhists for gambling."

Six of the eight monks have offered to resign because of the video, and the order has launched in internal investigation to determine how to discipline the monks. The Jogye order is also looking into whoever hid the camera in the luxury hotel room where the monks gambled, as filming the monks without their knowledge may be illegal under South Korean law.

The group of monks was comprised of "two spiritual leaders, high-ranking monks and also abbots from branch temples," according to the Korea Herald. They were staying at the hotel while they attended a memorial service for a fellow monk.

The news has caused a commotion in South Korea, leading some in the media to speculate about a potential power split within the order. With a reported 10 million followers comprising about a fifth of the country's population, the Jogye Order is the largest Buddhist group in Korea.

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