Korea’s Beloved “Chupa Chups Monk” Dies At 76 After Donating S$2.5M Life Savings To Students In Need

South Korea is mourning the loss of revered Buddhist monk Sambo Sunim, who passed away on May 27 at the age of 76.

The head monk of Beopheungsa Temple in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, had devoted an extraordinary 61 years of his life to Buddhist practice and was widely respected for his humility, generosity and unwavering commitment to helping others.

For many younger Koreans, however, Sambo Sunim was perhaps best known for a much more heartwarming reason — his beloved dog, Bori.

The monk captured national attention after appearing in the 2020 documentary Korea Travel – Mountain Temples in Winter, which offered a glimpse into his quiet daily life alongside the affectionate canine companion.

One particularly adorable clip of Bori repeatedly licking the monk's shaved head went viral, earning Sambo Sunim the affectionate nickname "Chupa Chups Monk".

Bori reportedly passed away in March 2024 at the age of 10.

According to reports, Sambo Sunim first encountered Buddhist teachings at the historic Woljeongsa Temple in Pyeongchang in 1965. He later entered monastic life and trained at several temples, eventually rising through the ranks of the Jogye Order, South Korea's largest and most influential school of traditional Buddhism.

Over the decades, he held numerous leadership positions, serving as head monk at multiple temples while also contributing to Buddhist education and administration.

His service extended beyond temple grounds as well.

Sambo Sunim served as a board member of the Buddhist-affiliated Dongguk University Foundation and sat on the Religious Adjudication Committee. In recognition of his lifelong devotion to Buddhism, he was awarded the prestigious title of Daejongsa — the highest honour bestowed upon a monk — in November 2024.

Yet despite the accolades, Sambo Sunim remained best known for his simple lifestyle and philosophy of non-attachment.

His life story was marked by remarkable experiences beyond religion.

In 1970, he served as a Marine during the Vietnam War and was later awarded a distinguished military service medal. A decade later, he was among the Buddhist figures detained during a military government's crackdown on the Buddhist community and was sent to the controversial Samchung re-education camp.

Throughout his life, he consistently gave away much of what he owned.

In 2015, he donated 330 million won (S$278,000) to support temple restoration efforts and charitable initiatives.

Then, in 2020, he made what would become one of his most talked-about acts of generosity.

Six years before his passing, he donated his entire life savings — reportedly around 3 billion won (S$2.5 million) — to Woljeongsa Temple. His wish was for the money to help students who lacked the financial means to pursue an education.

Following news of his death, tributes have poured in from across South Korea, with many remembering him not only as a respected monk, but as a man who quietly embodied the values he preached.

His funeral was held at Woljeongsa Temple on May 29, followed by a traditional Buddhist cremation ceremony conducted according to religious customs.