[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] The Buddhist Federation of Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongnam, held a lighting ceremony for the Tower of Compassion, Light, and Peace to celebrate Buddha's Birthday in the year 2566 of the Buddhist calendar at 7 p.m. on the 20th at the Tower of Peace located in the History Theme Plaza next to Namjeonggyo Bridge in Hapcheon-eup.
The event was attended by about 50 Buddhists including local institution and social organization leaders such as Lee Seon-gi, Acting Mayor of Hapcheon-gun, Seok Man-jin, Chairman of Hapcheon County Council, Jeong Jong-hwa, Superintendent of Hapcheon Office of Education, Park Jeong-deok, Chief of Hapcheon Police Station, and Kang Moon-gyu, Head of Nonghyup Bank Hapcheon Branch.
With the lifting of social distancing measures due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), this lighting ceremony, which rekindles hope with lanterns, proceeded without a pre-ceremony event and followed the order of the Six Offerings, Taking Refuge, Heart Sutra, Recitation of the Buddha’s Birth Praise, Lighting Ceremony, Guest Speeches, Lighting, Chanting of Shakyamuni Buddha, Circumambulation of the Tower, and the Fourfold Vows.
Lee Seon-gi, Acting Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Hapcheon-gun, said, “Through this event, I pray that the Buddha’s blessings spread in all directions, filling our county, the Republic of Korea, and further the entire world with peace and happiness,” and expressed gratitude to the Hapcheon Buddhist Federation and Buddhists who prepared the event.
The ‘Lantern of Compassion, Light, and Peace,’ lit with the wish that the whole world be filled with wisdom and light, is expected to provide a unique attraction to tourists and residents visiting Hapcheon-gun until mid-May.
The Buddhist Federation of the county entrusted a fund of 3 million won for the development of education in Hapcheon-gun during this lighting ceremony event.
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