S.Korean Buddhist Sect Seeks Joint Rites for Buddha’s Birthday

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is pushing for joint Buddhist rites for Buddha’s birthday on May tenth.

The Jogye order said it had requested the Unification Ministry permission to visit the North, where it plans to hold a joint ceremony with the North Korean Buddhist Federation at Singye Temple in Mount Geumgang.

Upon government approval, the Jogye order will send ten delegates headed by the Venerable Hyegyeong. It will also deliver relief supplies to the impoverished nation.

A Jogye order official said the request was submitted on April 22nd.

The Jogye order had held joint rites with its North Korean counterparts on Buddha’s Birthday each year since 2000. However, the joint rites were halted since 2009, after a South Korean tourist was shot and killed at the Mount Geumgang resort in July 2008 and also due to the sinking of the South Korean navy vessel the “Cheonan” in March 2010.