Buddhist Community: "Become a President Shining Through the Ages"... Moon: "That's How Korea Should Be"

President Moon's Meeting with Buddhist Leaders at Cheong Wa Dae
Moon: "Buddhism Also Canceled Millennium Lantern Festival... Thankful for Cooperation in COVID-19 Prevention"
Buddhist Community: "Praying to Buddha for the Nation's Prosperous Development"

President Moon Jae-in is greeting attendees ahead of a meeting with Korean Buddhist leaders at the Blue House on the morning of the 18th.

"May the President become a president who shines eternally through the ages" (Wonhaeng Seunim)

"It should not be me, but the Republic of Korea that becomes so" (President Moon Jae-in)

On the 18th, President Moon Jae-in met with the Buddhist community to discuss ways to overcome the national crisis amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At this meeting, President Moon expressed his gratitude for the Buddhist community's active cooperation in quarantine efforts.

The Buddhist community presented President Moon with a handwritten calligraphy of 'Mangohwiyun' (萬古徽然) by Jinje Daeseonsa, the Jogye Order's Supreme Patriarch, with the intention of uniting the hearts of the people to overcome the crisis. It means "eternally bright throughout infinite time."

During this process, Wonhaeng Seunim, the Chief Executive of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and Chairman of the Korean Buddhist Orders Association, said to President Moon, "May the President become a president who shines eternally through the ages," to which President Moon replied, "It should not be me, but the Republic of Korea that becomes so," as conveyed by Blue House spokesperson Kang Min-seok in a briefing.

On that day, President Moon, who invited Buddhist leaders to the Blue House, said, "The Buddhist community has taken the lead in practicing quarantine measures since the early days of COVID-19," and praised, "They suspended all events including Buddhist ceremonies and made the difficult decision to close temple gates."

He continued, "They even postponed the Buddha's Birthday celebration ceremony and held prayers for overcoming COVID-19," adding, "In May, they 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 the lantern of hope that we can surely overcome COVID-19 by sharing hardships."

Wonhaeng Seunim, speaking on behalf of the attendees, responded, "There is a saying that a diligent person who digs one well will succeed greatly, called 'Ugong Isan' (愚公移山)," and said, "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 mentioned 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 day COVID-19 ends."

Attending the meeting were Buddhist leaders including Wonhaeng Seunim, Cheontae Order Chief Executive Moon Deok Seunim, Jingakjong General Director Hoeseong Jeongsa, Gwaneumjong Chief Executive Hongpa Seunim, and Taegojong Chief Executive Homyeong Seunim.

This was President Moon's second time holding a meeting with Buddhist leaders since his inauguration, 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 opinions related to COVID-19 quarantine measures.

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