Sangwol Gyeolsa 105-Person Pilgrimage Group Departs for India... Begins 1,167 km Grand Journey

Venerable Jongjeong Seongpa: "An Event Promoting Peace and Comfort for All Sentient Beings"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] The 1,167 km pilgrimage journey through India and Nepal, organized by the Buddhist group Sangwolgyulsa, began with the opening ceremony. Sangwolgyulsa, founded by Venerable Jaseung, former head of the Jogye Order, has been promoting domestic and international pilgrimages since 2019.

On the morning of the 9th, the Sangwol Gyeolsa India Pilgrimage Prayer Ceremony is being held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The opening ceremony was held at 6 a.m. at the Daeungjeon Hall of Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. About 500 people attended to commemorate the start of the journey, including the Jogye Order's Supreme Patriarch Jungjeong Yeha, Great Monk Jungbo Seongpa, Chief Executive Jinwoo, head monks of district temples, members of the Jogye Assembly, political and religious figures, and devotees. The pilgrimage group consisted of 105 members: 65 monks, 12 believers, and 28 staff and press members.

Seongpa, the Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said, "(This pilgrimage) is an event to realize the truth that completes the self inwardly and to promote peace and comfort for all sentient beings outwardly," adding, "I sincerely pray for the flawless and perfect accomplishment of this sacred event from beginning to end."

Jinwoo, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, stated, "I earnestly hope that along the footsteps of the pilgrimage, places of peace and life release will open throughout the world, and songs of harmony will resonate," and "I expect this pilgrimage to conclude successfully and serve as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds between the two countries."

After the opening ceremony, the pilgrimage group headed directly to Incheon International Airport. They departed for India at 11:40 a.m. by plane and will begin the full walking pilgrimage on the 10th (local time). Over the course of 1,167 km, they will visit eight major sacred sites in India and Nepal, including Bodhgaya, where Sakyamuni attained enlightenment.