President Yoon and First Lady Attend Sarira Return Ceremony; Kim Makes First Public Appearance in 169 Days (Comprehensive)

Attendance at the Hoamsa Sarira Relocation Commemorative Cultural Festival
"Closer Korea-U.S. Ties Provided a Clue to Resolution"
"Governance with Earnest Devotion for the People"

President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Gunhee are entering the 'Hoamsa Sarira Relocation Commemorative Cultural Festival and Samdae Hwasang Daryejae' held at Hoamsa Temple Site in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province on the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee attended the 'Hoamsa Sarira Relocation Commemorative Cultural Festival and Samdae Hwasang Daryejae' held at the Hoamsa Temple Site in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province, on the morning of May 19.

This was the first time in 169 days that First Lady Kim Keonhee made a public appearance in Korea since she visited the memorial altar for former Jogye Order Executive Director Ja-seung at Jogyesa Temple on December 2 of last year.

The event commemorated the return and restoration (Hwanjiboncheo) of the sarira (relics) of Kasyapa Buddha, Jeonggwang Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, and the revered monks Naong and Jigong (three Buddhas and two patriarchs), which had been returned to their original place in Korea after 100 years, having been brought back from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, on April 16.

The relics that have returned this time were originally enshrined in the Jigong Monk Sarira Stupa at Hoamsa Temple in Yangju, but are believed to have been illegally taken out of the country along with a 'silver-gilt lama stupa-shaped reliquary' during the Japanese colonial period. Their return marks the first time in 100 years that they have been restored to their original place. Notably, this is the first time in 600 years since the late Goryeo period that the relics have been publicly revealed.

The illegally exported relics were reportedly acquired by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. According to the Presidential Office, during President Yoon's state visit to the United States in April last year, First Lady Kim visited the museum and requested the resumption of discussions on the return of the relics, which restarted the negotiations after a 10-year hiatus.

Yoon: "A Precious National Heritage Symbolizing the Authenticity of Korean Buddhism"

President Yoon Sukyeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 'Hoamsa Relic Transfer Commemorative Cultural Festival and Samdaehwasang Daryejae' held on the 19th at Hoamsaji in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In his congratulatory speech, President Yoon stated, "Today is a great day for the Buddhist community and a truly joyful day for all our people," expressing his happiness over the return of the relics of the three Buddhas and two patriarchs, which had remained in a distant foreign land for nearly 100 years. He added, "The relics that have returned and are now enshrined are a precious national heritage symbolizing the authenticity and lineage of Korean Buddhism."

President Yoon particularly emphasized that the process of returning the relics was not easy. He said, "After it was first confirmed in 2004 that the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, possessed the reliquary, the Jogye Order led a nationwide campaign for their return, but negotiations repeatedly reached an impasse. Ultimately, in 2013, after 10 years, the talks broke down for good."

President Yoon continued, "During my state visit to the United States in April last year, I requested that discussions on the return be resumed after 10 years. Thanks to the efforts of many people over the course of a year, the long-awaited restoration to the original place was finally achieved this April."

He went on to say, "Through this restoration, I learned many things. Although it was a difficult problem that had remained unresolved for a long time, the closer relationship between Korea and the United States provided a clue to solving it. By not giving up on a problem that many considered finished, and by combining the efforts of the people and the government, we were able to achieve the wishes of the people with the Buddha's blessings."

President Yoon added, "I realized that the Buddha's blessings are not simply given, but must be preceded by earnest prayers and diligent practice. No matter how difficult the task may be in running the government, I will not avoid it, but will work and strive with a sincere heart for the people."

He also pledged, "Together with the Buddhist community, I will help create a world filled with the Buddha's compassion and light, where the people are happier today and the future of our nation is even brighter."

Over the past 20 years, since the reliquary was confirmed to be in the possession of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Jogye Order has expressed gratitude, noting that First Lady Kim Keonhee, who has a strong interest in culture and the arts, made significant contributions to the return of the relics. In particular, on May 15, during Buddha's Birthday celebrations at Jogyesa Temple, Jogye Order Executive Director Jinwoo expressed his thanks to the President, saying, "The First Lady played a key role in the restoration of the relics to their original place by actively requesting the return of the relics from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston."

Before attending the event, President Yoon and First Lady Kim had a preliminary meeting with Venerable Jinwoo, Hosan (head monk of Bongseonsa Temple), and others. At the meeting, Venerable Hosan said, "We have worked for 20 years to restore the relics to their original place, but what seemed impossible became possible thanks to the First Lady's help. It feels as if the Buddha himself decided to return here."

First Lady Kim: "This Is the Result of the Prayers of Ten Million Buddhists, Not My Own"

President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee are seen conversing at the 'Hoheamsa Relic Transfer Commemorative Cultural Festival and Three Great Zen Masters Tea Ceremony' held on the 19th at Hoheamsa Temple Site in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.
Photo by Yonhap News

In response, First Lady Kim said, "I am deeply gratified by the restoration of the relics to their original place and hope this will lead to a revival of Buddhism. I believe this restoration is not my achievement, but the result of the prayers of ten million Buddhists," according to a written briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Kim Sukyung.

An official from the Presidential Office added, "After her visit to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in April last year, First Lady Kim continued to closely monitor the progress of the return of the relics. She also expressed hope that the process of lending the reliquary in the future would proceed smoothly and that cooperation through joint research would continue."

After the meeting, President Yoon and First Lady Kim, guided by two flower children, entered the event venue together with Venerable Jinwoo and others, where they were warmly welcomed by many devotees. The President and First Lady responded with a prayer gesture and a slight bow, and encouraged the flower children who assisted them by patting them on the shoulders. Venerable Jinwoo said, "Thank you so much for attending in person, First Lady. As you have become a benefactor for the enshrinement of the relics, I hope you will continue to support future historical events."

The event proceeded with Venerable Beopryun as the MC, including the Chiljeongnye ceremony, the Heart Sutra recitation, and the Samdae Hwasang Daryejae. President Yoon and First Lady Kim joined Venerable Jinwoo on stage to offer a lamp, wishing happiness for all the people. They then returned to their seats and observed the rest of the ceremony, which included a progress report on the transfer of the relics, a Dharma request, meditation, a Dharma talk, and chanting, praying for the peace and prosperity of the nation.

President Yoon Sukyeol and First Lady Kim Keonhee are seen with hands clasped together attending the 'Hoheamsa Relic Transfer Commemorative Cultural Festival and Samdae Hwasang Daryejae' held on the 19th at Hoheamsaji in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

With First Lady Kim making a public appearance for the first time in 169 days, some interpret this as the official resumption of her public activities.

After controversy arose over her acceptance of a luxury handbag following her visit to the Netherlands last December, First Lady Kim had not appeared at official events. However, on May 16, she attended an official luncheon following a summit between President Yoon and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, and also spent time with the Prime Minister's wife, Pich Chanmony. This was one week after President Yoon officially apologized for the First Lady's acceptance of the luxury handbag. Although First Lady Kim also participated in the Korea-Romania and Korea-Angola summits last month, she did not make any public appearances at those times.

Approximately 4,000 people attended the event, including Venerable Jinwoo, Executive Director of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and other Buddhist leaders. From the political and government sectors, attendees included Joo Ho-young, head of the National Assembly's Buddhist Association, Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Choi Eungcheon, Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration. From the Presidential Office, Seong Taeyoon, Chief of Policy, Jeon Gwangsam, Senior Secretary for Civil Society, Hong Cheolho, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs, and In Seonghwan, Deputy Director of National Security 2, were present.