The Buddhist Scripture, the New Tripitaka of the 21st Century

The Buddhist Scripture, the holy text of Korean Buddhism officially sanctioned by the Jogye Order unveiled in a dedication ceremony at Jogye-sa Temple​​​The Buddhist scripture, compiled and published by the Jogye Order to transmit the Buddha’s teaching in modern language, was unveiled in a dedication ceremony performed in the main Dharma Hall at Jogye-sa Temple at 4 pm on February 24.

▲ Most Ven. Wonhaeng, the president of the Jogye Order, and Most. Ven. Wongyeong Seongjin, the vice-chairman of the Elder’s Council are dedicating the Buddhist Scripture to the Buddha.

Officiated by the Jogye Order Buddhist Scripture Publication Committee (chaired by Most Ven.Wonhaeng), the ceremony was attended by 50 venerables and prominent members of the Jogye Order, including Most Ven. Wonhaeng, the president of the Jogye Order, Most Ven. Wongyeong Seongjin, the vice-chairman of the Elder’s Council, Ven. Jeongmun, the chairman of the Central Monastic Council, Ven. Jihong, the head of the Propagation Bureau, Ven. Bonkak, the chairperson of the Korean Bhiksuni Association, Ven. Wolwu, the head of the Headquarters for Inter-Korean Solidarity, Ven. Hyeonbeop, the editor-in-chief of the Buddhist Daily, Ven. Geumgok, the director of the General Affairs, Ven. Jihyeon, the abbot of Jogye-sa Temple, Ven. Seonjo, the abbot of Bomun-sa Temple in Ganghwa Island, Yunsik Joo, the chairman of the Central Buddhist Association, and Changduk Bang, the head of the Buddhist Propagation Corps. The historical event was live-streamed on YouTube.

It has been 50 years since a comprehensive Buddhist holy text was published for the general public when Dongguk Sutra Translation Institute printed its edition of the Buddhist Scripture in 1972.

▲ Most. Ven. Wongyeong Seongjin, the vice-chairman of the Elder’s Council is reading the Dharma Talk on behalf of His Excellency Master Jinje.

In the Dharma talk read by Most Ven. Wongyeong Seongji, the vice-chairman of the Elder’s Council on his behalf, His Excellency Master Jinje Beopwon, the patriarch of the Jogye Order said, “The unfathomable Truth of enlightenment attained by Sakyamuni Buddha under the Bodhi tree 2,600 years ago while he was gazing at the eastern star in a pre-dawn sky after six years of ferocious practice cannot be obscured or put away, and is immutable through the three times of past, present, and future. Yet, as time goes by, new paradigms and ways of life rise and fall, and the words of the Buddha also renew themselves in new languages and editions to continue the Buddha’s Dharma lineage.”

The Patriarch continues, “One human lifespan of 100 years may appear long, but it cannot even be compared to the spaciousness of one afternoon spent in hwadu investigation. As we all aspire to attain the Buddha’s enlightenment, practice again and again, single-mindedly focusing on investigating the hwadu of “What is the true self before born of these parents?” day and night, everywhere you go, whether you are standing or sitting.”

▲ Commemorative remark by Most Ven. Wonhaeng, the president of the Jogye Order

▲ Foreword by Ven. Jihong, the head of the Propagation Bureau

▲ Ven. Jeongmun, the chairman of the Central Monastic Council is presenting the Buddhist Scripture to the Buddha as the offering on behalf of the Buddhist community.

Ven. Jihong, the head of the Propagation Bureau and the standing chairman of the Jogye Order Buddhist Scripture Publication Committee wrote in the forward to the Buddhist Scripture, “The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism launched the committee in April 2019 and started compiling the Buddhist scripture. Many renowned scholars, experts, and monastics devoted themselves to the project, determined to create a new Tripitaka Koreana that will serve the beings living in the 21st century. It was challenging work, with small and large bumps along the road, but thanks to the unwavering drive and perseverance of everyone involved, we now dedicate the fruit of our labor, the Buddhist Scripture to the Buddha.”

Ven. Jihong says in his foreword, “Buddhist sutras are still the best tool we have for Dharma dissemination. Even amid various high-tech media and other means of telecommunication, sutras outshine them all as the most reliable pillar and refuge of Dharma. Only on the solid foundation of Buddhist sutras grow sound trees which in turn will bear many sweet fruits of faith.”

Most Ven. Wonhaeng, the president of the Jogye Order also celebrated the occasion by saying, “The hard work of the Jogye Order Buddhist Scripture Publication finally resulted in the publication of the Buddhist Scripture that we unveil today. The best resources of the Jogye Order were diverted to create this new edition, with His Excellency Patriarch Jinje himself and other most renowned venerables rendering their wisdom to the project. For the past 2 years, about 30 experts in their respective fields got together over 30 times in small and large meetings and conferences to produce and present this holy text, the Buddhist Scripture to the Buddhist community, and the Three Jewels. There is a popular book called, The Book Makes Us Human. I would dare say that what makes us Buddhists is the Buddhist Scripture that contains the essence of the entirety of the Tripitaka. The merits that can be earned from carrying and reading the Buddhist Scripture, and recommending the book to others, would be incomparable.”

Most Ven. Wonhaeng concluded his commemorative speech by saying, “I look forward to the day when the sound of studying and reading the Buddhist Scripture resonates throughout the temples across the nation, turning them into the Buddha’s Pure Land on earth, driving ignorance from the hearts of all Buddhists and connecting them directly to Buddha-Dharma.”

▲ Yunsik Joo, the chairman of the Central Buddhist Association, and Changduk Bang, the head of the Buddhist Propagation Corps are dedicating the Buddhist Scripture to the Buddha.

▲ The Buddhist Scripture dedicated to the Buddha, the first edition published by the Jogye Order

Ven. Jeongmun, the chairman of the Central Monastic Council presented the Buddhist Scripture to the Buddha as the offering on behalf of the Buddhist community, saying, “The Jogye Order has compiled and published the Buddhist Scripture to disseminate the noble teaching of the Buddha and give true hope and comfort to all beings in today’s language. We are dedicating the book in this solemn ceremony to the Buddha for his blessings, with the aspiration that the Buddhist Scripture may become the most common text which all Buddhists carry on their persons and study at all times and kindles the song of enlightenment in the hearts of all Koreans.”

▲ Venerables who participated in the dedication ceremony

All quarantine measures required to prevent the spreading of the

 COVID-19 were strictly observed during the dedication ceremony, such as wearing facial masks and social distancing. Ven. Muil, the vice director of the Propagation Bureau opened the day’s even as an MC, followed by a video on the Buddhist Scripture, flower dedication, taking refuge, the Heart Sutra chanting, the dedication of the Buddhist Scripture, the presenting of the book as an offering to the Buddha, the reading of the foreword, commemorative remark, the request for Dharma teaching, Dharma talk, the taking of Four Great Vows, and the taking of the group photo.

Source: Buddhist Daily (http://www.ibulgyo.com)