Jogye Order Monastics and Laity Offer 1080 Bows for the Welfare of Korea

Jogye Order monastics and laity offered 1080 bows for the welfare of the Korean society and the preservation of Korean culture at the Cheonggyecheon Plaza on January 10 starting at 10 a.m. This event was sponsored by the Jogye Order Committee for the Preservation of Korean Culture. Jogye Order administration’s monastics and lay employees (over 300 total) met at the Cheonggyecheon Plaza on a cold Monday morning. They began by chanting the refuge prayer and heart sutra. Thereafter, an aspiration speech was read. This was written for the citizens of Seoul. Then, everyone bowed together 1080 times.

Department of Cultural Affairs Ven. Hyotan led the bowing. They began with three rounds of 108 bows. After resting for about five minutes they began another three rounds of 108 bows. Then, after another 108 X 3, they rested for another five minutes. Finally, they did 108 bows to conclude the 1080 bows. At the end of the bowing, Ven. Jaseung head of the Jogye Order came by to offer words of encouragement.

Participants of the bowing included Jogye Order Committee for the Preservation of Korean Culture Chairperson Ven. Yeongdam, Department of Social Affairs Director Ven. Hyekyung, Ven. Jangjeok, Ven. Sangun, Ven. Gyeongwu, Ven. Hyotan, Ven. Heungseon, Ven. Beopin, and Department of Dharma Propagation Director Ven. Gyeseong. Over 50 monastics and 250 lay people participated.

This event was to repent of the way that Korean Buddhism has not been able to contribute more to Korea’s development and pray for the happiness of the Korean people. In addition, these bows were offered for the welfare of the Korean society and the restoration of democracy, and the preservation of Korean culture and for religious harmony. The preservation Korean culture is in the hands of the Korean people was also conveyed in the event.

The Jogye Order Committee for the Preservation of Korean Culture began a daily practice of 108 bows beginning on December 14 for monastics and laity of the Jogye Order administration. This practice is to continue for 100 days. All the Jogye Order administration’s employees and monastics bow together at 8:45 a.m. daily for the preservation of Korean culture. In order to reaffirm the determination, the 1080 bows event was held the day before Buddha’s enlightenment day (12^th lunar month 8^th day). There is a tradition to do all-night practice on the eve of Buddha’s enlightenment day to emulate the great determination of the Buddha to become fully awakened. In this spirit, the Jogye Order held this event to honor the enlightenment of Buddha with the offering of 1080 bows.