The Korea-Japan Buddhist Cultural Exchange Council (Chairman: Most Ven. Jinwoo, the president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism) and the Japan-Korea Buddhist Cultural Exchange Council (Chairman: Ven. Fujita Ryujo, Shingon Shu (眞言宗)), held the 42nd Korea-Japan Buddhist Cultural Exchange Conference at Beomeo-sa Temple in Busan, Korea, on June 18. As part of the ceremony, a Dharma ceremony was dedicated in front of the Main Buddha Hall of the temple to pray for world peace.

The conference was held under the theme of ‘Preparing for the next 50 years of Buddhist exchanges between Korea and Japan,’ and aimed to find sustainable exchange methods at a time when both countries are facing a transition with a decline in Buddhist community membership.

“The Buddha's teachings are a beacon for the future of humanity, and the sound of the Dharma resonates for all eternity,” said Most Ven. Jinwoo, chairman of the Korea-Japan Buddhist Cultural Exchange Council. “At this conference, we will discuss sustainable ways of bilateral exchanges, and we hope to lay the meaningful foundation for future generations to interact more actively, especially among youth and women, through cultural means. We also hope to gather wisdom to contribute to both societies through Buddhist teachings.”

“I believe that true peace will lead to a world of coexistence and harmony when we achieve it from within ourselves,” said Most Ven. Jinwoo. He emphasized that learning to examine ourselves and coexist with others through the practice of Seon meditation is the first step to true peace.

“I am very grateful that the conference was held at Beomeo-sa, the foremost Buddhist temple in Busan, so that we could pray for world peace and the well-being of both countries, and for the harmony and coexistence of mankind. This is the spirit of this conference,” said Ven. Ryujo Fujita, chairman of the Japan-Korea Buddhist Exchange Council. “In the world that is changing so rapidly and radically, we need the guiding principles of Buddha-dharma more than ever. Reaching out to people’s hearts by spreading the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha should be our priority in this modern world.”

At the subsequent academic conference, the two countries issued a joint declaration stating their commitment to “expanding various civil exchanges that overcome emotional barriers and gaps in perception, with Buddhism playing the role of a bridgehead,” and proposing a “five-minute meditation practice” as a concrete action plan.