history

 

Chronology

 

April 5, 1974
Founded in Seoul (Korea Student Hall, Mukjeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul)

Founding Director: Rhi Ki-yong
Advisory Committee: Hwang Soo-young, Seo Gyeong-su
Research Committee: Mok Jeong-bae, Jang Chung-sik, Lee Young-ja, Kang Woo-bang, Song Seok-gu, Lee Min-yong, Chung Byung-jo, Kim Sang-hyun, Yi Yong-bu, E. B.  Adams
General secretary: Lee Min-yong, Secretary: Chung Byung-jo

*Based on the Bulletin of the Korean Institute for Buddhist Studies, no. 1 (1974) and Bulgyo yongu (Buddhist Studies), vol. 1 (1985) and vol. 2 (1986).

July 1974
The first "Introductory Lecture Course on Buddhism" held for two weeks

August 1974   
The first "Buddhist Practice Course" held for ten days at Tongdosa, Yangsan

August 1974
The monthly service first held

September 1974
Launching of the Hanguk bulgyo yeonguwon hoebo (Bulletin of the Korean Institute for Buddhist Studies) (currently, the monthly Gudo)

October 1974
Founding of the KIBS Gudohoe (Bodhi Seekers' Society) (currently KIBS Seoul Gudohoe), Im Byeong-hyeon, the first president

January 1975
Starting of the Saturday Lecture (later called, the Saturday Service)

February, 1976
Founding of the KIBS Daegu Gudohoe in Daegu, Choe Yu-ryeon, the first president

April 1977
Establishing of the KIBS Press

August 1977
Founding of the KIBS Busan Gudohoe in Busan, Kim Gil-jo, the first president

May 1981
Relocation to the Alumni Center of the SNU College of Education, Sinmun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

August 1984
Relocation to Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

August 1985
Launching of the academic journal Bulgyo yongu (Buddhist Studies)

October 1986
Seo Gyeong-su, an advisor to KIBS, passed away

March 1988
Establishment of the Wonhyo Academy inside KIBS

November 1988
KIBS incorporated with the approval of the Ministry of Culture and Public Information, Rhi Ki-yong, the first chair of the board cum director

November 1989
Founding of the National Buddhist Teachers’ Association under the KIBS, Yi Tae-seop, the first president

June 1990
Relocation to Gaepo-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

October 1990
Founding of the KIBS Gwangju Gudohoe in Gwangju), Yi Sang-u, the first president

November 1996
Rhi Ki-yong (KIBS chairman-cum-director) passed away

November 1996
Chung Byung-jo appointed as the 2nd KIBS chair of the board, concurrently serving as the director

February 1999
Founding of the KIBS Daejeon Gudohoe in Daejeon, Song Seong-seon, the first president

August 2001
Establishment of Yuma jeongsa as a KIBS Buddhist practice center at Yeongok-ri, Gonjiam, Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do

May 2004
Relocation of the main center to the current location on Donhwamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

April 2009
Han Dong-dae inaugurated as the 3rd KIBS chair of the board and Chung Ho-young as the 3rd KIBS director

August 2009
Formation of the Buryeon Academic Fund

April 2011
Lee Min-yong inaugurated as the 4th KIBS director

April 2012
Kim Jong-hwa inaugurated as the 4th KIBS chair of the board

April 2013
Lee Young-ja inaugurated as the 5th KIBS director

August 2013
Completion of the worshipping hall at Yuma jeongsa

April 2015
Lee Tae-seung inaugurated as the 6th KIBS director

April 2018
Gwak Yeong-sun inaugurated as the 5th KIBS chair of the board and Ahn Sung-doo as the 7th KIBS director

September 2020
Rhi Juhyung inaugurated as the 6th KIBS chair of the board

November 2022
Held an academic symposium commemorating the 100th anniversary of the birth of Rhi Ki-yong

April 2024
KIBS celebrated its 50th anniversary. Kim Jong-hwa inaugurated as the 7th KIBS chair of the Board and Rhi Juhyung as the 8th KIBS director