Biography
June Han Sunim (the word ‘Sunim’ is the Korean title for a Buddhist nun or monk) is a Buddhist monk in the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and co-founder of the JustBe Temple in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. The temple offers support to international travellers and students seeking to deepen their meditation practice. After earning his degree from Washington University in the United States, he translated the Diamond Sutra and decided to pursue monastic life, undergoing seven years of monastic training at Sudeoksa and Haeinsa Temples.
Following a 1,000-day solo retreat at Yangbaek Temple, June Han Sunim felt called to reconnect with people and moved to Seoul. His journey to monkhood was inspired by encounters with life and death issues during his studies in the United States, and his close relationship with Monks Seongsan and Hyeongak, the latter of which he became a disciple of.
In 2006, he received the Sami ordination at Jikji Temple under the guidance of Monk Nokwon, and in 2011, he took the Nine Precepts at Tongdosa Temple with Monk Gosan as his preceptor. A graduate of Haeinsa Sangha College and Yulwon, he has worked as a teacher at Haeinsa Temple Stay for Foreigners and as a trainee at the Buddhist monks' training centre for about a decade. Currently, he is dedicated to spiritual practice at Yangbaekjeongsa Temple in Yeongju. He also manages a guesthouse-turned-temple that welcomes young people and foreigners, providing a sanctuary for those seeking spiritual growth, following in the footsteps of Monk Seongsan's international missionary efforts.
Meditation Workshop (2024) | Korean Buddhist Education and Meditation
