Matchmaking monks? Buddhist temple dating program proving popular in Daegu.
Published: 28 Apr. 2026, 14:30
Updated: 29 Apr. 2026, 19:02
![Participants are on a date at a temple through a matchmaking program organized by the Korean Buddhist Foundation For Social Welfare. [KOREAN BUDDHIST FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/04/29/8c2fb255-5266-4485-a6d7-170770a47f11.jpg)
Participants are on a date at a temple through a matchmaking program organized by the Korean Buddhist Foundation For Social Welfare. [KOREAN BUDDHIST FOUNDATION FOR SOCIAL WELFARE]
A Buddhist temple matchmaking program in Daegu drew over 1,600 applicants, according to the Korean Buddhist Foundation For Social Welfare on Tuesday.
Set to take place at Donghwa temple, 24 men and women out of the total 1,602 applicants will be selected as final participants in the two-day program running from May 9 to 10.
In recent years, Buddhist temples in Korea have begun hosting matchmaking programs as part of broader efforts to stay socially relevant and engage younger generations.
“I felt tremendous enthusiasm in our previous temple matchmaking programs, but the response to the most recent one at the Donghwa Temple has exceeded even my imagination,” said Venerable Doryun, chief of the Korean Buddhist Foundation for Social Welfare. “Given that this is a regional event, the number of applicants is extraordinary. We will do our best to increase participation within feasible limits and ensure the event runs smoothly.”
“I believe this will be an opportunity for Donghwa Temple to be reborn as a place of prayer and practice, and to grow into a temple that connects with the public,” Donghwa temple's head monk Seon Gwang said. “It is a shame that the temple has a limit on how many people it can accommodate. Going forward, Donghwa temple will prepare many more programs for young people.”
The foundation plans to continue its matchmaking program at temples across the greater Seoul area, North and South Chungcheong, and Gangwon regions following the Daegu event. Details on upcoming dates are available on the foundation's website.
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY BAIK SUNG-HO [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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