Esteemed citizens and members of the Buddhist community, 

On this beautiful spring day, when the joy of life fills the world, I offer my deepest gratitude and blessings to all who have gathered here under the compassionate light of the Buddha. 

With its fresh green leaves fluttering in the breeze and flowers blooming in a harmonious array of colors, spring reminds us that difference does not inevitably lead to conflict; rather, it embodies the beauty of coexistence.

Some 2,600 years ago, the infant Buddha proclaimed the dignity of all beings with the words, “In the heavens above and on the earth below, I alone am the most supreme”. This teaching reminds us that we must create our own happiness and peace, and urges us not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. 

We live in an era of advanced technology, where artificial intelligence has been highly developed; yet, paradoxically, the chasm of inner isolation and conflict is only growing deeper. We face a reality where knowledge abounds, but wisdom is scarce, and while the world is more connected than ever, its warmth is quickly fading.

No matter how dazzling material civilization may be, it cannot resolve the fundamental suffering within the human heart. This is because not all suffering is caused by external circumstances; it is the result of the Three Poisons — greed, anger, and ignorance — within our minds. When we realize the principle of dependent origination — that 'this exists because that exists' — and let go of our inner attachments and discriminatory thoughts, the very ground we stand on becomes the Buddha's Pure Land.

Now, we must move beyond conflict and embrace harmony.

Recently, Korean society has been plagued by anxiety, exhausting itself due to extreme confrontation and division. Fortunately, however, we are gradually moving towards reconciliation and stability through a mature civic awareness and a desire for unity. This is a truly precious change.

The Buddha taught that hatred cannot be resolved through more hatred; rather, it can only be liberated through compassion and understanding. In all areas of our society, including politics, the economy, and labor relations, we must abandon the extremes of division and confrontation, where one side must destroy the other to survive. Instead, we must embrace the wisdom of ‘harmonious debate’ (hwajeung) to find a way to live together. If we prioritize our own interests, everyone ultimately loses. But when we find a path to mutual prosperity, peace can finally be achieved for all.

Furthermore, we must unite for peace on the Korean Peninsula once again. The long-standing division and tension have left deep wounds across our entire nation. Breaking the vicious cycle of confrontation, opening the path to communication, and building a future of peace and coexistence must be our most ardent aspirations.

Korean Buddhism will stand with the people in their time of need and support the most vulnerable in society, taking the lead in opening the path to peaceful coexistence beyond conflict and division. Through Seon meditation, we will serve as a steadfast pillar of strength, safeguarding the people’s inner peace. When we pause to cultivate the strength to reflect on ourselves, we can finally transcend our individual differences and become a peaceful community.

The lanterns we light today shine not just on ourselves, but on everyone, illuminating the faces of all those who are oppressed, sorrowful, or sick and melting away all prejudice and hatred.

With my palms together in prayer, I earnestly pray that the blessings of Buddha’s Birthday may fill the entire world so that the oppressed may find freedom, the sorrowful may find comfort, and the sick may find recovery. May the Buddha’s boundless light of compassion remain with you all and with this land forever.

May 24, B.E. 2570 (2026)

With palms together,

Jinwoo, 

President, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism