On 16 May, approximately 300,000 Buddhists gathered in central Seoul to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea. The rally, which took place around the main palace, the Gyeongbokgung, on the Saturday evening, was part of a larger celebration in honor of the Buddha’s birthday. The event marks 70 years of Korean independence, and brought together some 400 Buddhist leaders from around the world.
From CNN
The division of Korea occurred in 1945 following the Second World War, before which it was politically a part of Japan. The Korean War from 1950–53 led to further animosity between North and South, with many families split between the two. As the war concluded with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty, the two countries are technically still at war, and relations remain tense. According to Fox News, while South Korea proposed talks with North Korea last December, Pyongyang is afraid that Seoul plans a takeover based on the South Korean system.
“The separation has been causing pain for the people,” Supreme Patriarch Jinje told CNN. Jinje is the spiritual leader of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Korea’s largest Buddhist sect, which dates back 1,200 years. “To solve this problem, we are focusing on peace for the Koreas during this Buddhism meditation assembly. The purpose of this meditation is to bring peace to all the people—people of the whole world.”
Traveling from the outskirts of Seoul to take part, Hwang Yeon-gyeong told CNN, “With the mercy of Buddha, we should come together as the same people and I hope we can realize peaceful reunification.”
Master Jinje highlighted the role of South Korean Buddhists in the reunification: Buddhists have been helping with temple restoration in the North, and Korean Buddhists have promised to increase the number of humanitarian aid programs. “In North Korea, there are 500 years of Buddhism rooted in every person’s heart,” he said. “We are carrying the spirit of mutual help and I believe there will opportunities for people to open up their hearts in the future. That is why we should not neglect, but rather help each other” (CNN).
From CNN
While freedom of religion is permitted in North Korea, open religious activity is not allowed, with places of worship under the control of the state.
Master Jinje’s ideals—to practice daily asceticism and thus forget one’s inner turmoil—are reflected in the holding of the prayer rally. He believes that if everyone takes these ideas on board, reunification will be smooth.
“Just like the five-colored lotus lanterns of different designs shine on each other in the world, I hope this event will be a chance to brighten a life for peace and happiness, as well as an opportunity to move ahead altogether with Korean reunification as a topic,” commented another monk from the Jogye Order, Venerable Namjeon (Press TV).
Around 23 per cent of South Koreans identify themselves as Buddhist.