Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun's Congratulatory Address at Beomeosa Temple's 'Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony' on the 19th

On the 19th, Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan, attended the Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony held at Beomeosa Temple in Busan and joined his hands in prayer. Mayor Park delivered a congratulatory speech at the ceremony. [Image source=Busan City]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] On the morning of the 19th, Buddha's Birthday, Park Hyung-jun, Mayor of Busan, attended the 'Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony for the 2565th Year of the Buddhist Era' held at the Daeungjeon Hall of Beomeosa Temple in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, at 10 a.m., and delivered a congratulatory speech.

On this day, major figures and heads of institutions, including Kim Seok-jun, Superintendent of Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, Shin Sang-hae, Chairman of Busan City Council, and Jin Jeong-mu, Chief of Busan Metropolitan Police Agency, as well as devotees, attended the ceremony.

In his congratulatory speech, Mayor Park said, "Since Buddhism was introduced to this land, it has been a religion that has shared the joys and sorrows of our people for thousands of years. When the country was in difficulty, it took the lead in protecting the nation and established a proud tradition of patriotic Buddhism," adding, "It has blossomed brilliant Buddhist culture throughout the country, enriching and warmly embracing our lives."

Mayor Park also referred to the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19, stating, "Last year on Buddha's Birthday, for the first time in thousands of years of Korean Buddhist history, a major decision was made to postpone the Buddha's Birthday celebration by a whole month."

"By the major temples in Busan taking the lead in doing so, the entire Buddhist community joined together to overcome COVID-19. They have also actively participated in sharing for neighbors in pain," he added.

Mayor Park said, "Although the situation is still difficult, if we endure a little more and participate for each other, I think we will be able to hold the Lantern Festival more joyfully than any other year next Buddha's Birthday, without masks."

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