Dongguk University WISE Campus holds Buddhist opening ceremony for fall semester

Dongguk University WISE Campus held a Buddhist opening ceremony for faculty and staff for the second semester of the 2026 academic year on Tuesday at the campus's Jeonggakwon hall.

The ceremony drew about 300 people, including professors, staff, students and lay followers, with Dongguk University board Chairman Ven. Dongwan invited as the presiding monk.

Ven. Dongwan delivered a dharma talk on the theme of "seon jisik" — a wise spiritual guide — saying, "A wise guide is not found deep in the mountains but within our own lives. Do not wait for one to come to you; go out and seek one, and strive to become a guide for each other."

A scholarship fund presentation ceremony by Ven. Sumun also took place during the event.

Ven. Sumun, the head monk of Geumseongsa Temple on Geumosan Mountain, donated 50 million won ($37,200) in scholarship funds to Dongguk University WISE Campus at the encouragement of Chairman Ven. Dongwan.

Ven. Sumun, who is also an alumnus of the university's department of classical Chinese literature, said he hoped the school would "grow into a university where students need not worry about tuition fees, as the chairman has envisioned."