Buddhist Community: "Become a President Who Shines Through the Ages"... Moon: "That's How South Korea Should Be" (Comprehensive)

President Moon Invites Buddhist Leaders to Cheongwadae Meeting
Moon: "Buddhism Also Canceled Millennium Yeondeunghoe... Thanks for Cooperation in COVID-19 Prevention"
Buddhist Community Concerns Over Side Effects of Clearing Deep-rooted Evils... Moon: "Efforts for Political Unity"

President Moon Jae-in attended a meeting with Korean Buddhist leaders held on the morning of the 18th at the Blue House main building, greeting together after Ven. Wonhaeng, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, delivered a representative greeting to the attendees.

"May the President become a president who shines eternally through the ages" (Wonhaeng Seunim)

"It is not about me, but about the Republic of Korea becoming so" (President Moon Jae-in)

On the 18th, President Moon Jae-in met with Buddhist leaders at the Blue House to discuss ways to overcome the national crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At this meeting, President Moon expressed his gratitude for the Buddhist community's active cooperation in quarantine efforts.

◆Moon: "Thankful for Buddhist community's cooperation in quarantine... Lighting a beacon of hope to overcome COVID-19"

The Buddhist community presented President Moon with a handwritten calligraphy titled 'Mangohwiyun' (萬古徽然) by Jinje Daeseonsa, the Jogye Order's Supreme Patriarch. It means "eternally radiant through infinite time."

During this, Wonhaeng Seunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order and Chairman of the Korean Buddhist Federation, explained to President Moon that it means "May the President become a president who shines eternally through the ages," to which President Moon responded, "It is not about me, but about the Republic of Korea becoming so."

President Moon, who invited Buddhist leaders to the Blue House that day, said, "The Buddhist community has taken the lead in practicing quarantine measures since the early stages of COVID-19," and praised, "They suspended all events including Buddhist ceremonies and made the difficult decision to close temple gates."

He continued, "They even postponed the Buddha's Birthday celebration ceremony and held prayers for overcoming COVID-19," adding, "In May, they decisively canceled the Yeondeunghoe Lantern Festival, which has been held for over a thousand years." He emphasized, "Although we could not see the harmonious and peaceful lantern parade, they lit a beacon of hope that we can surely overcome COVID-19 by sharing hardships."

Wonhaeng Seunim, speaking on behalf of the attendees, said, "There is a saying, 'The foolish old man removes the mountains' (Ugong Isan), meaning a persistent person who digs one well achieves great success," and responded, "At times like this, the President, social leaders, and the Buddhist community must practice bodhisattva deeds with a humble attitude toward the public."

He then mentioned the 'Indra's Net' philosophy, which connects all as one life community, and concluded with a prayer, "We will not stop praying to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for world peace, the well-being and health of the people, and the day COVID-19 ends."

◆Buddhist community voices concerns over side effects of excessive purge of deep-rooted evils... Moon: "We will move toward politics of unity"

On this day, the Buddhist community also expressed concerns to President Moon about the side effects of an excessive purge of deep-rooted evils.

Hongpa Seunim, Chief Executive of the Gwaneumjong Order, said, "Many citizens think positively about the purge of deep-rooted evils, but there are also citizens who feel burdened," according to a briefing by Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok.

In response, President Moon said, "Since the Buddhist community also embraces the spirit of Pasahyeonjeong (破邪顯正, breaking falsehood and revealing righteousness), I believe the Buddhist community would not oppose the purge itself." He added, "I think the concern is about the need for national unity measures due to worries about conflict and division," and said, "We intend to move toward cooperative and unified politics in that direction."

President Moon also pointed out that political conflicts are adversely affecting quarantine efforts. He said, "As political conflicts intensify, even quarantine has become politicized," expressing concern that "While the entire nation should be united in quarantine efforts, some reject cooperation or distort the efforts."

He continued, "This is fundamentally a phenomenon caused by ongoing political conflicts," and said, "However, unity is an urgent task. I ask the Buddhist community to also play a role in achieving unity."

◆President Moon: "If we do not give up hope for meetings, we will surely move toward unification" (Comprehensive)

On the eve of the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration, President Moon reiterated his commitment to improving inter-Korean relations, saying, "If we do not give up hope for meetings and dialogue, we will surely move toward peace and unification."

President Moon said, "Tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration," and added, "In 2018, I declared together with Chairman Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang to the 80 million Korean people and the world that we would move toward a peaceful Korean Peninsula."

He expressed gratitude to the Buddhist community for holding Buddhist ceremonies praying for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the inter-Korean summit and for continuing prayers for peaceful unification this year as well.

President Moon said, "Buddhism has been a source of strength to overcome hardships on this land for 1,700 years," and added, "Buddhism has always been beside the people walking the path of national defense, independence, democracy, and peace." He further said, "I hope the Buddhist community will always join in opening the path for inter-Korean exchanges and advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Attending the meeting were Buddhist leaders including Wonhaeng Seunim, Cheontae Order Chief Executive Moon Deok Seunim, Jingakjong Director Hoeseong Jeongsa, Hongpa Seunim, and Taego Order Chief Executive Homyeong Seunim.

This is the second time since his inauguration that President Moon has invited Buddhist leaders to the Blue House for a meeting, following one in July last year. On the 20th of last month, he also invited Catholic leaders and Protestant leaders to the Blue House to exchange opinions related to COVID-19 quarantine efforts.