On May 24, Dharma assemblies gathered to celebrate Buddha’s birthday (B.E. 2570) by praying for world peace, the peace of mind of the people, and global harmony. The celebration ceremony took place at 10:00 a.m. at temples across the nation, including Jogyesa Temple in Seoul.

Those in attendance at Jogyesa Temple included His Eminence Jungbong Seongpa, Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Most Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Order, President Lee Jaemyung, and First Lady Kim Hyekyung. Approximately 10,000 members of the sangha also gathered to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday, including Ven. Jagwang, Chairman of the Council of Elders; Ven. Jugyeoung, Chairman of the Central Council; Ven. Jeongmuk, Head of the Disciplinary Committee, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik.

“The Buddha came into this world to dispel the darkness of ignorance with wisdom, so that sentient beings might live happily and peacefully,” said the Supreme Patriarch Jungbong Seongpa in his Dharma talk. “By attaining the truth for yourself, you come to understand that you are not the only one who can be a Buddha. All sentient beings can too. If you realize this Truth and become a Buddha, your life itself becomes a true Pure Land of Buddha, filled with peace and comfort.”

His Eminence added, “The Buddha’s lamp does more than illuminate the darkness of the night. It is a lamp of the Dharma that enlightens the mind.” He urged, “If you practice the Buddha-dharma and let your mind’s lamp shine brightly, you will become a Buddha. I hope that everyone in this society will light the lamp of their own mind.”

“Let us open a future of mutual prosperity by attaining peace of mind and harmonious coexistence in the world,” emphasized Most Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order.

“Korean Buddhism has always supported the socially vulnerable. When people are anxious and anguished, we will be the light that illuminates the path of harmony, peace, and coexistence, transcending conflict and division,” said Most Ven. Jinwoo. “In particular, we will serve as a steadfast pillar safeguarding the people’s ‘mental security,’ and we will do everything in our power to help people find peace of mind and hope.”

In his congratulatory address, President Lee Jae-myung said, “On this occasion of Buddha’s Birthday, I pray that great compassion may fill the entire world. The Buddha’s teachings have been with us for many years, serving as a sanctuary that heals our pain during national crises and times of sorrow.”

“Our government, founded on the sovereignty of the people, will take the Buddha’s words as our guiding light. We will build a nation that pays closer attention to the lives of every citizen and listens to the voices of the most vulnerable. Above all, we will do our utmost to create a government that saves the lives of the people and put into practice the teaching that all are equal,” pledged the President. 

Most Ven. Jinwoo and Ven. Jagwang, Chairman of the Council of Elders, performed the bathing ritual. They poured clean water over the statue of the infant Buddha to symbolize the washing away of greed, anger, and ignorance. Then, they blessed the children, namely Kim Minjae, Ryu Jiin, Kim Mingi, and Jeong Subin, with the Water of Enlightenment, praying that they would become future Buddhas.

An offering ceremony was held to pray for a world of peace and harmony, illuminated by the Buddha’s wisdom and light. Most Ven. Jinwoo and President Lee Jaemyung began with the offering of lamps, followed by candle offerings from Ven. Jugyeong, Chairman of the Central Council of the Order, Ven. Jeongmuk, Head of the Disciplinary Committee, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Incense, tea, and rice offerings were made by other participants, including executives from the Jogyesa Temple’s Lay Buddhist Association, the National Buddhist Women’s Association, and the National Assembly Buddhist Association; representatives from other religions; and the Indian ambassador to South Korea. 

This year’s celebration of Buddha’s Birthday was especially meaningful because socially vulnerable individuals and those who have experienced tragedy participated in the flower offering. The families of foreign workers who died in industrial accidents, the families of those who died from overwork at the Coupang logistics center, same-sex couples, laid-off workers, peace activists, and the families of victims of the fire disaster took the stage to pray for a world free of discrimination, as well as for healing and harmony.

Ven. Damhwa, the abbot of Jogyesa Temple, concluded the ceremony by offering a prayer on behalf of the assembly: “May all citizens of the Republic of Korea dwell within the light of the Buddha’s wisdom, extinguishing all suffering and ignorance. May they cultivate the seeds of enlightenment wherever they are born in life after life. May they practice the Bodhisattva Path so that the Buddha’s wisdom and compassion will fill this land.”