Buddhists of Korea, China and Japan aspired to realize the world peace in Putuo Temple in China

The Buddhists from Korea, China and Japan gathered in Putuo Temple in China and prayed for the world peace and harmony among all human beings based on the friendship among the Buddhist communities in the three countries.

The 22^nd Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference was held in Four Heavenly Kings’ square at Putuo Temple in China, where the Association of Korean Buddhist Orders (Chairperson: Venerable Wonhaeng, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism), the Buddhist Association of China (Acting Chairperson: Venerable Yanjue) and the International Buddhist Exchange Association (Chairperson: Venerable Ito Yuishin) co-hosted a Dharma assembly dedicated to the world peace. The Korean delegation to the conference amounts to 105 persons representing 26 Korean Buddhist orders, including Venerable Wonhaeng, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and Venerable Munduk, the president of the Cheontae School of Korean Buddhism.

The Dharma assembly dedicated to the world peace was held right before the official opening of the Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference in clear demonstration of the key intention behind the Conference. The Dharma assembly was also the stage where cultural exchanges among the three countries took place, as the they took turns in leading the Dharma service and chanting in their own languages, each conducting the unique ritual of its own country.

Venerable Wonhaeng, the chairperson of the Association of Korean Buddhist Orders delivered a message aspiring for the world peace saying, “The universal values of compassion, equality and peaceful co-existence are exactly what Buddha taught, which has blossomed in the three countries.” He also stressed that the disciples of Buddha in Korea, China and Japan must use the occasion of the 22^nd Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference, titled ‘Building the Common Global Community through Buddhism,’ as a venue where all Buddhists honestly reflect upon the past, calmly gaze into the future and find ways to contribute to the world peace and improve human rights.

He continued by saying, “The three countries as well as the rest of the world now face a world where the precarious political situations are unfolding. However, resolving the conflicts on the Korean Peninsular and establishing the permanent peace there are a significant step toward the peace for the rest of the world. The Korean people and the Korean Buddhist community will do its best to overcome our national division in the ardent wish to realize the peace on the entire world.” He asked the assembly to “support Korea’s activities based upon the great loving-kindness and compassion of Buddha.”

Vice President Ming Sheng of the Buddhist Association of China also prayed in his aspiration for the world peace during the Dharma assembly, saying, “The Buddhists from China, Korea and Japan have gotten together every year to aspire to save all sentient beings who are suffering from the three poisons of greed, aversion and ignorance and pray for the world peace and the happiness of all humanity. I hope our ardent wishes will result in the whole world taking refuge in Buddha’s teaching and attaining the enlightenment.” He continued his prayer by saying, “The friendship and goodwill between the three countries will be sustained by the blessings of the Three Jewels. I earnestly pray the blessings of Buddha will prevent all wars and disasters and make the wisdom and compassion grow in their places.”

Following the Dharma assembly dedicated to the world peace, the official opening ceremony of the 22^nd Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference was held, attended by the Chinese government officials including Wang Zuo\\'an, the Director of theState Administration for Religious Affairs of the Republic of China and Wang Yang Sheng, the member of the Standing Committee of Peoples Congress of Guangdong Province.

Venerable Wonhaeng emphasized, “Although the national borders divide us, we are all one in the solidarity of Buddhism. The whole world is a single flower, if we realize the interconnectedness of all beings and the Buddha’s compassion of knowing that the buddha and the sentient beings are not different. I sincerely hope we Buddhists will apply this wisdom toward achieving peace in East Asia and the world.”

Venerable Ito Yuishin, the chairperson of the International Buddhist Exchange Association from Japan also stated in his opening remarks read by his spokesperson on his behalf, “I hope that this Conference will serve as a chance to recognize the infinite karmic connection the Buddhists of the three countries have had and work together to create a world where all living beings can co-exist in peace and harmony.”

After the opening ceremony, a peace tree was planted to commemorate the 22^nd Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conference. The representatives of the three countries also attended the special exhibitions held in conjunction with the Conference, such as Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Calligraphy exhibition and the photography exhibition on the history of the Korea-China-Japan Buddhist Goodwill Conferences.