“We will move forward to reinvigorate Korean Buddhism. We will continue to walk steadfastly on the path of the Buddha to establish a peaceful world where all societies and humanity exist in harmony based on an egalitarian respect for all life.”

The Sangwol Society India Pilgrimage walked a total of 1,167km for 43 days along the path where the Buddha taught dharma, making vows to reinvigorate Buddhism, and to pursue world peace and respect for all life. The power of their vows—which brought a successful conclusion to their rigorous journey in accordance with the dharma and with the praise of the fourfold community—resonated greatly in the hearts of all Buddhists.

The epic journey of India pilgrimage began with a ceremony to inform the Buddha of the project. Held on Feb. 9 at Jogyesa Temple, the “Reporting Ceremony” was attended by 500 Buddhists of the fourfold assembly, including His Eminence the Most Ven. Seongpa (Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order). In their statement of vows the pilgrims resolved: “With a feeling of urgency we embark on this pilgrimage, and our practice will be resolutely based on your teachings, Buddha. We will strive continually without faltering even when faced with mental or physical collapse.”

Arriving in India on Feb. 11, the pilgrims held the opening ceremony for the Pilgrimage in front of the Dhamek Stupa at Deer Park in Sarnath. Ven. Jaseung, Sangwol Society’s Most Eminent Elder, implored the pilgrims earnestly, saying, “I want you to embark on this journey with compassion for all beings in order to bring happiness to humanity.”

On Feb. 21, the pilgrims arrived at Bodh Gaya, the sacred site of the Buddha’s enlightenment. On the 22nd day, they held a “Prayer Assembly for World Peace” under the Bodhi Tree at Mahabodhi Temple where the Buddha attained perfect enlightenment. At the assembly, attended by Ven. President Jaseung of the Jogye Order, the pilgrims reaffirmed their resolve to propagate the dharma.

On Feb. 25, the pilgrims arrived in Rajgir, home to Vulture Peak where the Buddha taught the Lotus Sutra. Upon ascending Vulture Peak, the pilgrims offered incense and flowers, and jointly chanted the Lotus Sutra. Some pilgrims shed heart-felt tears, saying they felt as if the original Vulture Peak Assembly was unfolding in front of them just as described in the sutra.

On Mar 1, the 21st day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims arrived in Vaishali where the ruins of Bamboo Grove (Veṇuvana) Monastery stand, and also the site of the 2nd Buddhist Council and the ordination site of the first group of female monastics. Seated with the Ananda Stupa and Ashoka Pillar in front of them, the pilgrims held a ceremony to guide the deceased and lost souls sacrificed in war, including those to protect their own countries, and from the earthquakes in Türkiye.

On Mar. 9, the pilgrims arrived in Kushinagar where the Buddha entered Parinirvana. At an assembly held at the Parinirvana Stupa, the pilgrims offered monastic robes to the Buddha and reflected on his last teachings. The fourfold assembly again renewed their vows to reinvigorate Korean Buddhism.

On the 34th day of the pilgrimage, the pilgrims arrived in Lumbini, Nepal, where the Buddha was born. In Maya Devi Temple, the pilgrims recited the Diamond Sutra and offered 108 prostrations, one for each vow from “The 108 Vows of the Sangwol Society.” These newly-established vows embody the Sangwol Society’s resolve to reinvigorate Korean Buddhism, to observe the Buddhist precepts in daily life, to act with compassion for society, and to maintain faith in Buddhism.

Leaving India on Mar. 22, the pilgrims returned to Jogyesa Temple in Seoul on Mar. 23 where their epic journey had begun. The closing ceremony at Jogyesa was attended by 15,000 Buddhists of the fourfold assembly who showered the returning pilgrims with praise and flower petals. Ven. President Jinwoo of the Jogye Order greeted them at the temple’s One Pillar Gate. He said, “With your conviction in the Buddha dharma, you have opened a new horizon for the reinvigoration of Korean Buddhism and establishing new respect for life. The Jogye Order will forever support you in your endeavors and stand by you on your paths of dharma propagation, and the reinvigoration of Korean Buddhism.”

Ven. Jaseung, who led the pilgrims, expressed his gratitude by announcing the name of each and every pilgrim, and again stressed the need for dharma propagation. He reminded the crowd, “2,600 years ago the Buddha vowed to propagate dharma and told his monks to go out into the world for the benefit and happiness of the people. Just as Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has chosen to postpone attaining buddhahood until all beings in hell are saved, we too should focus on propagating the Buddha’s teachings in this life by postponing our own buddhahood until a future life.” In this way the India Pilgrimage ended its 43-day, 1,167km journey.

-All the pictures are from Bulgyo Press. http://www.ibulgyo.com/