English | "Peace of Mind, a Happy World!" Nationwide Temples Held Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony
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Author Jogye On24-05-28 17:03 Views4,825 Comments0Related links
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On May 15, 2024, marking Buddha's Birthday in the year 2568 of the Buddhist calendar, temples across the country, including the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Jogyesa, simultaneously held Buddha's Birthday celebration ceremonies.
The ceremony that took place on the special stage at the Jogyesa Temple at 10 a.m. on the day was attended by around 10,000 people, including the most venerable Seongpa, the Patriarch of the Order; Ven. Jinwoo, the President of the Order; Ven. Bogwang, the Head of the Discipline Department, Ven. Damhwa, the Abbot of the Jogyesa Temple. President Yoon Suk-yeol also participated in the celebration ceremony this year, as he did last year. Additionally, representatives from other religions and foreign diplomats in Korea were in attendance.
The ceremony began with the purification ritual and the Dharma drum and bell striking ceremony (28 times), followed by the Three Refuges chant, the Baby Buddha bathing ritual, the Prediction of Enlightenment ritual, the offering ritual of lights, incense, and flowers, as well as closing prayers, the presentation of the Buddhist of the Year award, Seon meditation, celebratory addresses, congratulatory speeches, Dharma talks, and the Four Great Vows.
In his celebratory address, Ven. Jinwoo stated, "When the mind is at peace, the world of Buddha free from suffering opens up," and added, "We are all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who create a world where we live together and relieve the suffering of our neighbors." He also emphasized, "There should be no more confrontation and conflict. By realizing the truth of taking a step forward at the edge of a hundred-foot pole, let us abandon our adherence and attachment and move towards genuine communication and harmony."
He further highlighted that "the upcoming Fifth Industrial Revolution is a revolution of spiritual civilization. We will develop Seon meditation programs based on Hwadu meditation, encompassing modern meditation methods, to contribute to the mental health of the public and lay the foundation for leading a global spiritual civilization." He also mentioned the Seoul International Buddhism Expo and the 2024 Lantern Festival, which have recently gained attention from young people, and expressed his commitment to preserving Korean traditional culture, which is the archetype of K-culture, enhancing cultural pride, and making cultural heritage more accessible to the public.
President Yoon Suk-yeol remarked, "I will always do my best to implement proper governance while keeping Buddha's teachings in mind." He noted, "Recently, Korean Buddhism has been drawing the attention and interest of young generations and people worldwide. The Seon meditation program promoted by the Buddhist community is making a significant contribution to the mental health of our citizens. The government and I will continue to support the Buddhist community's efforts to care for the people's minds."
The most venerable Seongpa, the Patriarch of the Jogye Order, stated, "Although much has changed since the time of Buddha, the truth remains unchanged. Buddha taught us to light up the lamp within us. Today, we must each light the lamp of our minds to brighten the world. It is our duty to practice seeking enlightenment above and benefitting all sentient beings below."