Controversy Over 'Beopheungsa Site Foundation Stone'... Cheong Wa Dae Explains "President Moon's Consistent Reverence for Buddha"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As criticism from the Buddhist community grows over President Moon Jae-in and First Lady Kim Jung-sook sitting on the lotus-patterned foundation stone at the site of Beopheungsa Temple during a commemorative hike on the southern trail of Bukaksan Mountain, the Blue House stepped in on the 7th to manage the situation, stating that "President Moon's respect for Buddha and reverence for Buddhism remain unwavering."

Park Soo-hyun, the Blue House Chief of Public Communication, revealed on Facebook in a post titled 'Stories about the President not included in the briefing' that President Moon was embarrassed upon receiving reports about the controversy surrounding the foundation stone at Beopheungsa Temple.

Park conveyed that President Moon said, "Although I am a Catholic, I have always believed that the doctrines of Catholicism and the truths of Buddhism ultimately converge into one." He also emphasized that the President spent about 20 minutes explaining about the 'Gwanjeo Buddha.'

The 'Gwanjeo Buddha' refers to the seated stone Buddha statue on a square pedestal in Gyeongju, which was designated as a National Treasure (No. 1977) in 2018. Park stated that President Moon mentioned this stone Buddha statue during a Blue House staff meeting in 2017, saying, "There is a Buddha behind the Blue House residence."

At that time, President Moon referred to an anecdote from the Japanese colonial period, saying, "I think this Buddha (statue) must have originally been in Namsan, Gyeongju, and for some reason, it came to this place." He added, "Now that scientific technology related to cultural heritage has advanced significantly, if the Cultural Heritage Administration, Seoul City, and the Buddhist community collaborate to investigate this Buddha, there should be results," Park relayed.

Park said, "As the President predicted, it was revealed that the Buddha came from Namsan in Gyeongju, and in 2018, it was designated from Seoul City Tangible Cultural Property (No. 24) to a National Treasure (No. 1977)."

Park also mentioned, "On April 5th, while passing by the Beopheungsa Temple site, the President and First Lady respectfully joined their hands in front of the Buddha and paid their respects, and the accompanying Blue House staff sincerely paid their respects regardless of their own religions." He added, "It is regrettable to speak at a time when the significance of this precious story can only be diminished." This appears to be an effort to quell the controversy over alleged 'neglect of Buddhism' by highlighting President Moon's deep interest in Buddhism.

During the hike on the 5th, the presidential couple arrived at the temple site presumed to be Beopheungsa and sat on the lotus-patterned foundation stone while conversing with Kim Hyun-mo, the head of the Cultural Heritage Administration. After this photo was released, the Buddhist media outlet Beopbo Newspaper sharply criticized, saying, "The Blue House's awareness of cultural heritage is appalling." Although the Cultural Heritage Administration attempted to manage the situation by stating that "the foundation stone at the temple site is not a designated cultural property," criticism continues that the President and First Lady showed a lack of respect for Buddhist cultural heritage.