"Returning to a Daily Life Where Hope Blooms Again"... Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremonies at Temples Nationwide

On the morning of the 8th, the Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, was crowded with devotees on Buddha's Birthday, Buddhist Era 2566.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 8th, in celebration of Buddha's Birthday in the Buddhist calendar year 2566, commemorative Buddhist ceremonies were simultaneously held at temples nationwide.

At the ceremony held in the front yard of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, about 10,000 Buddhists participated. Attendees included Jogye Order's Supreme Patriarch Seongpa, Chief Executive Wonhaeng, leaders of neighboring religions, and Lee Jong-geol, co-representative of the Coalition for the Enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act, who had conducted a 28-day hunger strike demanding the enactment of the Anti-Discrimination Act. Political and governmental figures such as President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol, who is about to officially take office, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee also attended.

This year's ceremony was held under the slogan "Back to a Daily Life Where Hope Blooms Again," expressing the wish that the whole world, having suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic, now regains daily life and sprouts the seeds of hope.

In his congratulatory address, Chief Executive Wonhaeng said, "Looking at our history, whenever the hearts of the people united as one, all crises including wars were overcome, but when leaders divided and conflicted, the lives of the people became impoverished and national disasters were brought upon ourselves," emphasizing respect and harmony by stating, "After the legitimate contest of elections ends, leaders must strive for national unity through mutual respect and harmony."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Seongpa also said in his congratulatory Dharma message, "Sentient beings possess ignorance (無明, lack of wisdom), but ignorance is the foundation for attaining the Way (道), and afflictions (煩惱) are the livelihood that forms the living Buddha," urging, "Do not lose yourself trapped in the three poisons (三毒: greed, anger, and ignorance), and illuminate the world with the inherent virtue (德性) of the Tathagata (如來, Sakyamuni) that you have from the beginning."

President-elect Yoon said in his congratulatory speech, "Today, when the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha spread throughout the world, is a meaningful day," adding, "Although many challenges and crises lie ahead, the new government will make great efforts so that we can leap forward anew and all citizens can live well together."

President Moon Jae-in, in a congratulatory message read by Minister Hwang Hee, said, "In the spring of Buddhist year 2566, vitality has returned to temples and streets. Buddhism postponed the precious Lotus Lantern Festival to contribute to the power of recovery," and expressed gratitude to Buddhists on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday.

The Buddha's Birthday commemorative ceremonies, which had been scaled down over the past two years due to COVID-19, were held normally for the first time in three years. After the ceremony, a free communal meal event was held at nearby Susong Park.

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