“Francis Pope is like a ‘Compassionate Bodhisattva’ in Buddhist terms…Deep condolences”
On Buddha’s Birthday, victims of the Jeju Air disaster, wildfire victims, and others were invited to the ceremony.
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Lee Se-won: On the 22nd, Jinwoo, the administrative head of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, commented on the visits of politicians ahead of the presidential election, saying, “Whenever politicians come, regardless of party, they receive indirect rebuke.”
Ahead of Buddha’s Birthday in 2025 (May 5, 2569 in the Buddhist calendar), during a press conference held at the Korean Buddhist History and Culture Memorial Hall in Jongno, Seoul, Jinwoo stated, “The political sphere has made people too uncomfortable and distressed.”
He added that in the past, when significant disasters occurred or the people faced hardships, the king would express a sense of responsibility by saying, ‘All the blame is mine,’ and advised politicians, “The original sin of making the people uncomfortable and distressed lies with the politicians…If you try to take everything, you end up with nothing. If you must take, take only half.”
Regarding the ongoing political turmoil following the December 3 Emergency Martial Law and the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, he reaffirmed his stance, “The conclusion reached by the Constitutional Court must be respected and followed; otherwise, a nation cannot be formed.”
Regarding the continuous disputes, he added, “If there’s wrongdoing, it should be resolved through the three stages of the judicial process,” emphasizing that “we must always adhere to the law, which is not just a cliché.”
He expressed deep condolences for the passing of Pope Francis on the 21st, saying, “In Buddhist terms, he was truly a Compassionate Bodhisattva,” and expressed a wish for him to be reborn in the Pure Land.
Amid national disasters like the recent large-scale wildfires in the Yeongnam region, events for Buddha’s Birthday are being planned with a focus on bringing peace and comfort to the troubled minds of the people.
For instance, on the next month’s Buddha’s Birthday on May 5, a celebratory ceremony will be held at Jogyesa Temple, inviting the bereaved families of the Jeju Air disaster at Muan International Airport, wildfire victims, and victims of housing fraud, among other socially vulnerable groups.
The Jogye Order recently organized international meditation festivals aiming to enhance the mental health of the public, including the ‘Grand Dharma Assembly for Overcoming National Crisis and Mind Healing’ featuring teachings from the head monks and senior monks from large temples, attracting approximately 60,000 and 10,000 participants, respectively.
Particularly, the Seoul International Buddhist Expo held at COEX earlier this month attracted about 200,000 people, double the number from last year. The Jogye Order noted that over 70% of attendees were in their 20s and 30s, with nearly half identifying as non-religious, indicating that they transcended religious boundaries.
Considering this year’s Buddha’s Birthday coincides with Children’s Day on May 5, the Jogye Order plans to allow children to lead the lantern parade.