Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, Pays Courtesy Visit to Wonhaeng, Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism

Chairman Kim "May COVID-19 End Under the Compassion of Buddha"... Monk Wonhaeng "Hope and Healing Lanterns May Embrace the Pain and Anxiety of Seoul Citizens"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Ahead of 'Buddha's Birthday,' Kim In-ho, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, visited Jogyesa Temple at 3:30 PM on the 14th to meet with Venerable Wonhaeng, the Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, seeking advice on COVID-19 and other Seoul city issues.

At the meeting, Chairman Kim said, "Even during the prolonged COVID-19 situation, I am very grateful to the Jogye Order for their thorough response and dedication to quarantine measures," adding, "It is unfortunate that this year's Lotus Lantern Festival is scaled down again like last year, but I hope many citizens will remember this day and reflect on Buddha's compassion and wisdom."

He continued, "With the 10 million citizens of Seoul in mind, we are striving to achieve harmony together with the Seoul city government," and added, "Under Buddha's compassion, I ask the Buddhist community to offer many prayers so that the end of COVID-19 can come closer."

Venerable Wonhaeng emphasized, "I urge the Seoul city government and the city council to demonstrate coexistence and harmony so that our citizens do not become divided amid various issues surrounding Seoul, including COVID-19," and said, "I pray that the lanterns of hope and healing will embrace the pain and anxiety of Seoul citizens."

Venerable Wonhaeng has served as the 36th Chief Abbot of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism since 2018 and as the 13th Chairperson of the Korean Conference of Religions for Peace since 2020.

This year, as in the previous year, the Buddha's Birthday lantern parade has been canceled, and commemorative ceremonies will be held on a small scale at temples nationwide in compliance with quarantine guidelines.

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