President Moon: "If We Do Not Give Up Hope of Meeting, We Will Surely Walk the Path to Unification" (Comprehensive)

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President Moon Jae-in attended a meeting with Korean Buddhist leaders held on the morning of the 18th at the Blue House main building, greeting together after the representative greeting by Wonhaeng, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order.

President Moon Jae-in met with Buddhist leaders on the 18th, a day before the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration, and said, "If we do not give up hope for meetings and dialogue, we will surely move toward the path of peace and unification."

On this day, President Moon invited Buddhist leaders to the Blue House and expressed his gratitude to the Buddhist community for cooperating in the prevention of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), while making these remarks.

President Moon said, "Tomorrow marks the 2nd anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration," adding, "In 2018, I declared together with Chairman Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang to the 80 million people of our nation and the world that we would move toward a peaceful Korean Peninsula."

He continued, "The Buddhist community held Buddhist ceremonies praying for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula ahead of the inter-Korean summit, and prayed for peaceful unification again this year following last year," expressing his appreciation for the Buddhist community’s accompaniment in the cause of peace on the Korean Peninsula.

President Moon said, "Buddhism has been a source of strength to overcome hardships on this land for 1,700 years," and added, "Buddhism has always been by the side of the people walking the paths of national defense, independence, democracy, and peace." He further stated, "I hope the Buddhist community will always join us in opening the path for inter-Korean exchanges and advancing the path to peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Additionally, President Moon reiterated his gratitude to the Buddhist community for actively cooperating in quarantine efforts during the COVID-19 situation.

President Moon said, "The Buddhist community took the lead in practicing quarantine measures from the early stages of COVID-19," and praised, "They suspended all events including Buddhist ceremonies and made the difficult decision to close temple gates."

He added, "They postponed the Buddha’s Birthday celebration ceremony and conducted prayers to overcome COVID-19," and noted, "In May, they even decisively canceled the Yeondeunghoe Lantern Festival, which has continued for over a thousand years." He emphasized, "Although we could not see the lantern parade of harmony and peace, they lit a beacon of hope that by sharing difficulties, we can surely overcome COVID-19."

Attending the meeting were Buddhist leaders including Ven. Wonhaeng, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order and Chairman of the Korean Buddhist Orders Association; Ven. Mundeok, Chief Executive of the Cheontae Order; Ven. Hoeseong, Director of the Jingak Order; Ven. Hongpa, Chief Executive of the Gwaneum Order; and Ven. Homyeong, Chief Executive of the Taego Order.

Representing the attendees, Ven. Wonhaeng, Chief Executive of the Jogye Order and Chairman of the Korean Buddhist Orders Association, said in his greeting, "There is a saying that a diligent person who digs one well will succeed greatly, known as Ugong Isan," and responded, "At times like these, the president, social leaders, and the Buddhist community must practice bodhisattva deeds with a humbler attitude toward the public."

He then referred to the 'Indra’s Net' philosophy, which teaches that all are connected as one life community, and concluded with a prayer, "We will not stop praying to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas for world peace, the well-being and health of the people, and the end of COVID-19 until that day comes."

Ven. Wonhaeng also presented President Moon with a calligraphy piece titled 'Mangohwiyun' (萬古徽然), written by the Jogye Order’s Supreme Patriarch Jinje Daeseonsa, symbolizing "eternal brightness throughout infinite time," to encourage unity of the people’s hearts in overcoming the crisis.

This is the second time since his inauguration that President Moon has invited Buddhist leaders to the Blue House for a meeting, following one in July last year. On the 20th of last month, President Moon also invited Catholic leaders and Protestant leaders to the Blue House to exchange views on COVID-19 prevention.

Meanwhile, President Moon is scheduled to present appointment letters to Supreme Court Justice Lee Heung-gu, Minister of National Defense Seo Wook, and Commissioner of the National Tax Service Kim Dae-ji later that afternoon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.