Press Releases
President Moon invokes Buddhist spirit of dispute harmonization for inter-Korean peace
Apr 17,2018- Delivers congratulatory message at Buddhist prayer ceremony for Korean peace, says “eventful and warm spring has come…”
- “Denuclearization issue must be peacefully resolved, Cold Wardisposition should be dissolved”
2018 Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee ｜April 17,2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 17 said he pondered the idea of hwajaeng, a leading legacy of Korean Buddhism referring to harmonization of disputes, and requested that the Korean Buddhist community prays “with all (its) sincerity so that the spirit of hwajaeng is realized on the Korean Peninsula for discord and division to be resolved.”
Attending the Prayer Ceremony for Stability and Peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas, he said “the idea of hwajaeng is to respect and understand each other, to harmonize beyond individual differences and disparities.”
President Moon Jae-in on April 17 gives a speech in the so-called Prayer Ceremony for Stability and Peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.
“An eventful and warm spring has come to the Korean Peninsula,” he said, adding his hope that the country’s Buddhist community is with him at heart “so that a genuine peace and reconciliation can be achieved.”
“Hwajaeng is also important for our selves, as only with the people’s empathy and support can we work out inter-Korean relations,” he said, and requested that the “Buddhist community…lead the effort to bring the people together.”
“Complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the most urgent task at hand, and a task that must be resolved peacefully,” he said, and expressed the hope that “the Korean Peninsula will dissolve the world’s last remaining Cold War disposition and become a frontier of world peace.”
“I seek wisdom for sustainable peace under the Buddha’s teachings,” he said. In realizing that others and I are one and the same, we can act toward mercy, tear down the wall in between the South and North, and pave a path toward coexistence.”
On reunions of separated Korean families from both sides, the president urged that dispersed families should be able “to reunite, keep in touch, and come and go as they please” and that “the religious exchanges Buddhist society hopes for, including public services related to Bohyeonsa Temple on Myohyangsan Mountain, Singyesa Temple on Geumgangsan Mountain, and Yeongtongsa Temple in Kaesong, will be of great support to the cause.”
President Moon, first lady Kim Jung-sook and ceremony participants on April 17 pray for stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.
“The role of Buddhism is more important than ever in achieving world unification,” President Moon said, asking all of the ceremony’s participants to “become a humble lantern, for the lantern lit by (their) sincere vows and faith will light the path of peace beyond the Korean Peninsula and onto the world.”
“Ruminating on the aspirations gathered by the Buddhist community today, I will also proceed with more wisdom and courage.”
Reflecting on Buddhism’s past in the country, President Moon said Korean Buddhism “suffered a devastating pillage of its religious sanctuary during the time of military dictatorship,” adding that the Buddhist uprising of Oct. 27, 1980, was an incident in which “the new military regime trampled on (Buddhist) temples all over the country and hauled off innocent monks.”
He also expressed his “deepest regret for the scars that linger in the Buddhist community.”
President Moon said he is “very fond of Buddhist teachings” and that “the world outlook I experienced reading The Blue Cliff Record (famous Buddhist scripture) and gongan (Buddhist riddle) by Buddhist masters… have deeply taken root as part of (my) own outlook on the world.” Having taken in all the pure energy from the ceremony, he also said he has “confidence that the inter-Korean summit will go well.”
President Moon on April 17 sits after adding a lotus flower to a Korean Peninsula-shaped panel to wish for peace in a Buddhist prayer ceremony at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.
Below is the full text of President Moon Jae-in’s congratulatory message.
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It’s a pleasure to welcome the honorable leaders and devotees of Buddhism, aswell as distinguished guests.
Let me give special thanks to the Venerable Seoljeong from the Association of Korean Buddhist Orders, as well as the many executive director monks from other Buddhist orders who have prepared this ceremony to pray for stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula ahead ofthe inter-Korean summit. I was moved by the Venerable Seoljeong’s prayer and inspired by how he won’t just end things in today’s ceremony, but also intends to give morning and evening prayers at temples around the country for a week from this weekend.
In preparation for the upcoming inter-Korean summit, I pondered the idea of hwajaeng, one of Korean Buddhism’s most extraordinary legacies. I understand that the concept of hwajaeng is to respect and understand each other and harmonize beyond individual differences and disparities.
Complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the most urgent task at hand and a task that must be resolved peacefully. I ask that you pray with all your sincerity, and that the spirit of hwajaeng is realized on the Korean Peninsula for discord and division to be resolved.
Hwajaeng is also important for ourselves. Only with the people’s empathy and support can we work out inter-Korean relations. I hope that the Buddhist community will lead the effort to bring the people together.
Following the inter-Korean summit, a summit between North Korea and the U.S. is expected. A big transition in world history has begun—a transition that could form a new international order.
I seek wisdom for sustainable peace under the Buddha’s teachings. In realizing that others and I are one and the same, we can act toward mercy, tear down the wall between the South and North and pave a path toward coexistence. Dispersed families should be able to reunite, keep in touch, and come and go as they please. Social, economic and cultural exchanges should follow. The religious exchanges that the Buddhist society hopes for — public services related to Myohyangsan Mountain’s Bohyeonsa Temple, the Geumgangsan Mountain’s Singyesa Temple, and the Yeongtongsa Temple in Kaesong — will be of great support to the cause. I sincerely hope that the Korean Peninsula will dissolve the world’s last remaining Cold War disposition and become a frontier of world peace.
The role of Buddhism is more important than ever in achieving world unification. I ask that each of you become a humble lantern, for the lantern lit by your sincere vows and faith will light the path of peace beyond the Korean Peninsula and onto the world.
Ruminating on the aspirations gathered by the Buddhist community today, I will also proceed with more wisdom and courage.
Dear monks of high virtue and respected devotees, Buddhism has long been a part of our people. Buddhism has shined the brightest through times of national crisis. At the time of the Japanese invasion (in the late 16th century), Grand Master Seosan handed out manifestos and led soldier monks. His disciple, Grand Master Samyeong, went to Japan after the war to bring home some 3,000 captives. Buddhist devotees took the lead in showing what it means to truly care for the country and its people.
The teachings of Buddhism continue even today. Even if you’re not a believer, the spirit of Buddhism is covertly ingrained in the Korean people’s consciousness. The spirit of “fighting the wrong and practicing the right,” and the philosophy of “valuing life and humanity” have become the strengths that have matured our society and fostered democracy.
Buddhists are also actively volunteering to help those in need around the world. They are active in places ranging from Asia and Africa to Central and South America, and their areas of service range from providing drinking water, education and regional development to mine removal. I am both thankful to and proud of these people.
During the time of military dictatorship, Korean Buddhism suffered a devastating pillage of its religious sanctuary. Thirty-eight years ago, the new military regime trampled on temples all over the country and hauled off innocent monks. This became known as the Buddhist uprising of October 27 (in 1980).
Please allow me this opportunity to express my deepest regret for the scars that linger in the Buddhist community. Furthermore, I hope that the Buddhist community fully recovers its honor and that Korean Buddhism becomes more united and prosperous.
The Buddha said that when one is pure, many become purified, and when many are pure, the whole world becomes purified. Under this belief, I hope Buddhism will guide Korean society toward the path of righteousness.
My dear Buddhists, I am very fond of Buddhist teachings. The world outlook I experienced reading The Blue Cliff Record and gongan by Buddhist scholars—I feel that they’ve deeply taken root as a part of my own outlook on the world.
Having taken in all of your pure energy today, I have confidence that the inter-Korean summit will go well.
An eventful and warm spring has come to the Korean Peninsula. I pray that you’ll be with me at heart so that genuine peace and reconciliation can be achieved.
- “Denuclearization issue must be peacefully resolved, Cold Wardisposition should be dissolved”
2018 Inter-Korean Summit Preparation Committee ｜April 17,2018
South Korean President Moon Jae-in on April 17 said he pondered the idea of hwajaeng, a leading legacy of Korean Buddhism referring to harmonization of disputes, and requested that the Korean Buddhist community prays “with all (its) sincerity so that the spirit of hwajaeng is realized on the Korean Peninsula for discord and division to be resolved.”
Attending the Prayer Ceremony for Stability and Peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas, he said “the idea of hwajaeng is to respect and understand each other, to harmonize beyond individual differences and disparities.”
President Moon Jae-in on April 17 gives a speech in the so-called Prayer Ceremony for Stability and Peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.“An eventful and warm spring has come to the Korean Peninsula,” he said, adding his hope that the country’s Buddhist community is with him at heart “so that a genuine peace and reconciliation can be achieved.”
“Hwajaeng is also important for our selves, as only with the people’s empathy and support can we work out inter-Korean relations,” he said, and requested that the “Buddhist community…lead the effort to bring the people together.”
“Complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the most urgent task at hand, and a task that must be resolved peacefully,” he said, and expressed the hope that “the Korean Peninsula will dissolve the world’s last remaining Cold War disposition and become a frontier of world peace.”
“I seek wisdom for sustainable peace under the Buddha’s teachings,” he said. In realizing that others and I are one and the same, we can act toward mercy, tear down the wall in between the South and North, and pave a path toward coexistence.”
On reunions of separated Korean families from both sides, the president urged that dispersed families should be able “to reunite, keep in touch, and come and go as they please” and that “the religious exchanges Buddhist society hopes for, including public services related to Bohyeonsa Temple on Myohyangsan Mountain, Singyesa Temple on Geumgangsan Mountain, and Yeongtongsa Temple in Kaesong, will be of great support to the cause.”
President Moon, first lady Kim Jung-sook and ceremony participants on April 17 pray for stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.“The role of Buddhism is more important than ever in achieving world unification,” President Moon said, asking all of the ceremony’s participants to “become a humble lantern, for the lantern lit by (their) sincere vows and faith will light the path of peace beyond the Korean Peninsula and onto the world.”
“Ruminating on the aspirations gathered by the Buddhist community today, I will also proceed with more wisdom and courage.”
Reflecting on Buddhism’s past in the country, President Moon said Korean Buddhism “suffered a devastating pillage of its religious sanctuary during the time of military dictatorship,” adding that the Buddhist uprising of Oct. 27, 1980, was an incident in which “the new military regime trampled on (Buddhist) temples all over the country and hauled off innocent monks.”
He also expressed his “deepest regret for the scars that linger in the Buddhist community.”
President Moon said he is “very fond of Buddhist teachings” and that “the world outlook I experienced reading The Blue Cliff Record (famous Buddhist scripture) and gongan (Buddhist riddle) by Buddhist masters… have deeply taken root as part of (my) own outlook on the world.” Having taken in all the pure energy from the ceremony, he also said he has “confidence that the inter-Korean summit will go well.”
President Moon on April 17 sits after adding a lotus flower to a Korean Peninsula-shaped panel to wish for peace in a Buddhist prayer ceremony at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas.Below is the full text of President Moon Jae-in’s congratulatory message.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s a pleasure to welcome the honorable leaders and devotees of Buddhism, aswell as distinguished guests.
Let me give special thanks to the Venerable Seoljeong from the Association of Korean Buddhist Orders, as well as the many executive director monks from other Buddhist orders who have prepared this ceremony to pray for stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula ahead ofthe inter-Korean summit. I was moved by the Venerable Seoljeong’s prayer and inspired by how he won’t just end things in today’s ceremony, but also intends to give morning and evening prayers at temples around the country for a week from this weekend.
In preparation for the upcoming inter-Korean summit, I pondered the idea of hwajaeng, one of Korean Buddhism’s most extraordinary legacies. I understand that the concept of hwajaeng is to respect and understand each other and harmonize beyond individual differences and disparities.
Complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the most urgent task at hand and a task that must be resolved peacefully. I ask that you pray with all your sincerity, and that the spirit of hwajaeng is realized on the Korean Peninsula for discord and division to be resolved.
Hwajaeng is also important for ourselves. Only with the people’s empathy and support can we work out inter-Korean relations. I hope that the Buddhist community will lead the effort to bring the people together.
Following the inter-Korean summit, a summit between North Korea and the U.S. is expected. A big transition in world history has begun—a transition that could form a new international order.
I seek wisdom for sustainable peace under the Buddha’s teachings. In realizing that others and I are one and the same, we can act toward mercy, tear down the wall between the South and North and pave a path toward coexistence. Dispersed families should be able to reunite, keep in touch, and come and go as they please. Social, economic and cultural exchanges should follow. The religious exchanges that the Buddhist society hopes for — public services related to Myohyangsan Mountain’s Bohyeonsa Temple, the Geumgangsan Mountain’s Singyesa Temple, and the Yeongtongsa Temple in Kaesong — will be of great support to the cause. I sincerely hope that the Korean Peninsula will dissolve the world’s last remaining Cold War disposition and become a frontier of world peace.
The role of Buddhism is more important than ever in achieving world unification. I ask that each of you become a humble lantern, for the lantern lit by your sincere vows and faith will light the path of peace beyond the Korean Peninsula and onto the world.
Ruminating on the aspirations gathered by the Buddhist community today, I will also proceed with more wisdom and courage.
Dear monks of high virtue and respected devotees, Buddhism has long been a part of our people. Buddhism has shined the brightest through times of national crisis. At the time of the Japanese invasion (in the late 16th century), Grand Master Seosan handed out manifestos and led soldier monks. His disciple, Grand Master Samyeong, went to Japan after the war to bring home some 3,000 captives. Buddhist devotees took the lead in showing what it means to truly care for the country and its people.
The teachings of Buddhism continue even today. Even if you’re not a believer, the spirit of Buddhism is covertly ingrained in the Korean people’s consciousness. The spirit of “fighting the wrong and practicing the right,” and the philosophy of “valuing life and humanity” have become the strengths that have matured our society and fostered democracy.
Buddhists are also actively volunteering to help those in need around the world. They are active in places ranging from Asia and Africa to Central and South America, and their areas of service range from providing drinking water, education and regional development to mine removal. I am both thankful to and proud of these people.
During the time of military dictatorship, Korean Buddhism suffered a devastating pillage of its religious sanctuary. Thirty-eight years ago, the new military regime trampled on temples all over the country and hauled off innocent monks. This became known as the Buddhist uprising of October 27 (in 1980).
Please allow me this opportunity to express my deepest regret for the scars that linger in the Buddhist community. Furthermore, I hope that the Buddhist community fully recovers its honor and that Korean Buddhism becomes more united and prosperous.
The Buddha said that when one is pure, many become purified, and when many are pure, the whole world becomes purified. Under this belief, I hope Buddhism will guide Korean society toward the path of righteousness.
My dear Buddhists, I am very fond of Buddhist teachings. The world outlook I experienced reading The Blue Cliff Record and gongan by Buddhist scholars—I feel that they’ve deeply taken root as a part of my own outlook on the world.
Having taken in all of your pure energy today, I have confidence that the inter-Korean summit will go well.
An eventful and warm spring has come to the Korean Peninsula. I pray that you’ll be with me at heart so that genuine peace and reconciliation can be achieved.