"Buddhism Is a Religion of Subtraction"... Seonjae Sunim Stresses Harmony with Temple Cuisine for Foreign Ambassadors

"Paljeongdo Soy Sauce Bibimbap" Unveiled at Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul

Jogye Order Hosts Cultural Exchange Event Linked to International Seon Meditation Conference

On April 3, Seonjae Sunim, the first master of temple cuisine, emphasized global harmony by presenting "Paljeongdo Soy Sauce Bibimbap" at the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order's event inviting foreign ambassadors in Korea, held at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.

On the 3rd, at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Seonjae Monk is explaining temple cuisine during the Korean Buddhism Cultural Exchange event hosted for foreign ambassadors in Korea. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

This event, titled the "Korean Buddhist Cultural Festival for Foreign Ambassadors in Korea," was organized as part of the "2026 International Seon Meditation Conference." Over 20 participants, including ambassadors, diplomats, and their families from 14 countries such as Italy, Latvia, Japan, India, and Sri Lanka, attended the event.

Following a Seon meditation experience, the attendees were served temple cuisine for lunch, featuring bibimbap topped with eight different colors of seasoned vegetables, accompanied by mulkimchi and lotus root side dishes.

Seonjae Sunim remarked, "This dish contains no meat, fish, leek, garlic, onion, wild chive, or processed foods. People usually boast about how much they put in, but I take pride in what I leave out. Buddhism is a religion of subtraction."

She continued, "The meditation you just practiced is intended to expel all vexations from your mind to the outside, and the food you are eating today is designed to remove toxins from your body. Instead, this food is filled with the life force of the universe," she explained.

At the Korean Buddhism Cultural Exchange event hosted for foreign ambassadors in Korea, held at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Emilia Gatto, the Italian Ambassador to Korea, shared her impressions. On the right is Seonjae monk. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Seonjae Sunim also noted, "Buddhism teaches the Noble Eightfold Path, which instructs us to see and live rightly. In alignment with this, I prepared seasoned vegetables with eight different types of greens. Eating these eight foods harmoniously with rice becomes a practice for your body."

She added, "We all have different languages, cultures, and tastes, but just as various ingredients come together to form one dish, through bibimbap, I hope we can experience that all forms of life are not different from ourselves."

In his welcoming address, Jinwoo Sunim, Director General of the Jogye Order, said, "Today's gathering is a special occasion arranged as part of the International Seon Meditation Conference. It is a meaningful time to take a break from the flow of daily life, reflect on our minds through mindful breathing, and share temple cuisine that is in harmony with nature."

He further emphasized, "Conflicts and wars around the world cause much anxiety and discomfort for many people. In such times, Seon meditation not only allows us to rest our hearts but also serves as a precious path to regain our center and restore peace."

On the 2nd, visitors are touring the exhibition hall at the 2026 Seoul International Buddhist Expo held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Gaurangalal Das, Indian Ambassador to Korea, stated, "Buddhism is a religion practiced daily in India, but I was truly pleased to experience Korean culture through this event. I look forward to learning more about Korean culture and building stronger ties between our two countries."

On the other side of Bongeunsa Temple at COEX, the "2026 Seoul International Buddhist Expo" continued for its second day. This expo, hosted by the Jogye Order and organized by the Buddhist Newspaper, marked its 14th edition this year.

In the morning, Exhibition Hall B was bustling with visitors. Every booth, from Buddhist art to goods, attracted steady foot traffic, and a significant portion of the visitors were in their 20s and 30s.

According to the expo secretariat, approximately 130,000 people attended during the first two days since the opening. This year's expo is characterized by programs designed to help visitors naturally understand 'Emptiness,' a core tenet of Buddhism, through diverse hands-on experiences.

That evening, a special stage in front of the Iljumun Gate at Bongeunsa Temple featured the "Heart Sutra Emptiness Party," where popular DJs reinterpreted the Heart Sutra through hip-hop and DJ performances, drawing much attention.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.