'Buddha's Birthday' Jogyesa Temple 'Beop-yosik' Attendance
"We Will Hold the Hands of Those in Need More Warmly"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen with hands clasped together during the 'Three Refuges Ceremony' at the Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony marking the 2568th year of the Buddhist calendar, held on the 15th at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the 'Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony for the 2568th Year of the Buddhist Era' held on the morning of the 15th at the special Dharma platform in front of the Daeungjeon Hall at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and stated, "I will meticulously take care of even the smallest aspects of people's livelihoods to increase the happiness of the citizens."
The celebration ceremony proceeded in the order of the Jogyesa United Choir's Three Refuges Ritual (Samgu-uirye), recitation of the Heart Sutra, bathing the Buddha statue (Gwanbul), Ma Jeong-su-gi ritual, and Buddhist hymns. The event was hosted by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and this year's celebration slogan was "Peace of Mind, Happy World."
President Yoon, along with Jinwoo Sunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Jagwang Sunim, the Chairman Emeritus, offered lanterns wishing happiness to all citizens. The ceremony continued with prayers, the Buddhist Award presentation, Seon meditation, and a congratulatory address by the Chief Executive.
In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon expressed deep gratitude to the Buddhist community for always being with the people, using the teachings of the Buddha as a guiding light, and said, "Buddhism has been the foundation of our spiritual culture and continues to play a pivotal role in keeping our society healthy."
Yoon: "Buddhism is the foundation of our spiritual culture and plays a pivotal role"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is offering a lantern together with Jinwoo Sunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order, at the Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony marking the 2568th year of Buddha's birth, held on the 15th at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon stated that the Seon meditation program, which the Buddhist community has been focusing on promoting, plays a significant role in enhancing the mental health of the people, and the government will further support the Buddhist community's efforts to care for the minds of the citizens. He also emphasized, "I will engrave the Buddha's heart in mine to warmly hold the hands of those in need and meticulously take care of even the smallest parts of people's livelihoods to increase the happiness of the citizens."
He then mentioned the return of the true relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, as well as the relics of Naong Seonsa and Jigong Seonsa, which were returned to their homeland on April 18 after 100 years, expressing gratitude to the Buddhist community for their efforts toward returning to the original place. Furthermore, he added, "I congratulate the Buddhist community on this great event and hope that it will serve as an opportunity for Korean Buddhism's culture and spirit to spread further throughout our society."
The event was attended by Buddhist leaders including Seongpa Daejongsa, the Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order, Jinwoo Sunim, the Chief Executive, and Daedeok Sunim, as well as political figures such as floor leaders of each party, members of the National Assembly, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo, and diplomats including Chinese Ambassador Xing Haiming.
From the Presidential Office, Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon, Senior Secretary for Civil Society Jeon Gwang-sam, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Hong Cheol-ho, Senior Secretary for Public Relations Lee Do-woon, and Deputy Director of National Security 2nd Division In Seong-hwan were present.
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