Temple Food Master Seonjae Shares Buddhist Cuisine After Terminal Diagnosis

Seonjae monk, a master of Buddhist temple cuisine, has transitioned into a food practitioner to share his culinary knowledge with the public [1, 2].

This shift represents a rare bridge between monastic discipline and mainstream media, as Seonjae uses high-profile television platforms to promote the spiritual and physical benefits of temple food. His journey highlights the Buddhist mission of giving, and the effort to bring traditional monastic practices beyond temple walls [1, 2].

Seonjae's path to becoming a food practitioner began approximately 30 years ago ^[1] after he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. This health crisis served as the catalyst for his dedication to food practice, viewing the preparation and sharing of meals as a form of spiritual discipline and service [1, 2].

His efforts to reach a wider audience include appearances on South Korean media. He appeared on the MBC program ‘밥상의 발견,’ which aired on Feb. 17, 2026 ^[1]. Through such programs, he has worked to make temple cuisine accessible to those outside the monastic community ^[1].

Seonjae also participated in the Netflix competition ‘흑백요리사2’ ^[2]. However, his participation in the contest was marked by a desire to prioritize his spiritual mission over professional victory. During the event, he requested to be removed from the competition, saying, "2R서 탈락시켜 주세요" ^[2].

By asking for elimination in the second round, Seonjae indicated that his primary goal was not the title of champion, but the opportunity to introduce the philosophy of temple food to the viewers ^[2]. He sought to remain true to the purpose of his practice rather than pursuing the competitive nature of the show [1, 2].