The Jeonbuk Buddha's Birthday Celebration Committee donated 20 million won, originally allocated for the Buddha's Birthday Lantern Festival which was canceled, as a contribution to overcome COVID-19.
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Gominhyeong] The Jeonbuk Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Committee donated 20 million won, which was originally allocated for the Buddha’s Birthday Lantern Festival that was canceled, as a donation to overcome COVID-19.
On the 25th, Jeonbuk Province announced at the provincial office that the Jeollabuk-do Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Committee, composed of Buddhist orders such as Jogye Order, Taego Order, Bomun Order, Yonghwa Order, and Chongji Order within the province, donated 20 million won to help overcome COVID-19.
The event was attended by Governor Song Ha-jin, Seongwoo Sunim, head monk of the 17th district Geumsan City of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Jinseong Sunim, head of the Jeonbuk Provincial Office of the Korean Buddhist Taego Order.
The Jeonbuk Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Committee postponed the Lantern Festival, originally scheduled for April, to May 23 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but due to ongoing concerns about the virus and for the peace of the people, they abruptly decided to cancel the Lantern Festival on May 17 and donated the canceled event funds as a COVID-19 relief donation, practicing the compassion of Buddha.
The Buddhist community in the province has suspended all temple ceremonies since February 24, when the risk of community transmission of COVID-19 was rising, and has participated in social distancing campaigns. They have also postponed the Buddha’s Birthday Lantern Festival and celebration ceremonies, demonstrating exemplary conduct among religious communities.
Governor Song Ha-jin said, “I express my gratitude and respect for practicing the spirit of love inherent in religion during the COVID-19 crisis and for setting an example in social distancing. This warm heart will become a strong force to overcome COVID-19 and a great comfort to the residents facing difficulties.”
Meanwhile, following the donation by the Presbyterian Church Jeonju Presbytery on March 10, support supplies from the Jeonbuk Christian Council, and donations from the Catholic Diocese of Jeonju, the religious communities in the province continue to provide support and encouragement during the COVID-19 crisis, reminding us of the significance of religion as a spiritual pillar in the local community.
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