Jogye Order Monk Jaseung: "20th Presidential Election, Let's Open the Path of Forgiveness and Consideration for Unity"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] On the 8th, one day before the 20th presidential election, Venerable Jaseung, who served as the 33rd and 34th Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, issued a statement saying, "Coexistence is the way of survival. Our future is a community that shares together. Let us all live as protagonists of great unity without exception."

In his statement on the 8th, Head Monk Jaseung said, "Regardless of who is elected, there are the people and the country, so we must forgive past conflicts, show consideration, and move forward as devoted leaders on that foundation," and urged, "We must abandon the names of individual candidates, communicate broadly according to the call of the people, and open the path of peace and unity by mingling without discrimination."

He also stated, "We have already experienced enough moments of confrontation and conflict. Now is the time to reflect sincerely before the nation and the people and share peace earnestly," and added, "Let us greet the wise morning toward great unity."

Statement on the Occasion of the Republic of Korea Presidential Election

-Let us greet the wise morning toward great unity-

I always take refuge in the wise Buddha within the life of sentient beings,

and seek the answers of truth from the teachings given in difficult times.

The day to choose the leader of our nation is approaching. While conflicts have accumulated at every moment awaiting the people's choice, the morning when a new light rises must be welcomed together with brightness and hope.

In times of war, coexistence is the way of survival. A peaceful mind is not outside but within me. We have already experienced enough moments of confrontation and conflict. Now is the time to reflect sincerely before the nation and the people and share peace earnestly.

When tomorrow comes, we will face a new time to gather strength together again. The will to coexist is an important duty and practice. This is because the strength of our nation in the twists and turns of history has come from unity and single-mindedness.

Since there are the people and the country, we must forgive past conflicts, show consideration, and move forward as devoted leaders on that foundation. We must abandon the names of individual candidates, communicate broadly according to the call of the people, and open the path of peace and unity by mingling without discrimination.

The time to awaken is approaching. Our future is a community that shares together. When the morning dawns, let us all live as protagonists of great unity without exception.

Buddhist Era 2566 (2022), March 8