On June 27, at Jodoshu Daibonsan Zojoji Temple in Tokyo the Korea-Japan Buddhist Cultural Exchange Association (the Chair, Venerable Jinwoo) and the Japan-Korea Buddhist Exchange Association (the Chair, Venerable Ryujo Fujita) held the 41st Korea-Japan Buddhist Cultural Exchange Conference under the theme “The Changing World Order and the Possibilities of Buddhism.”

The conference was attended by over 160 participants, including around 100 Korean representatives of monastics and lay people from various orders, led by Ven. Jinwoo, and about 60 Japanese representatives, led by Ven. Ryujo Fujita.

In his opening address at the World Peace Prayer Assembly, Ven. Jinwoo emphasized the urgent need for Buddhist teachings in a world where conflicts and confrontations are causing suffering to people worldwide. He highlighted Korea’s ongoing efforts to popularize “Seon meditation” to bring peace of mind to the public, adding, “Based on the traditional Seon practice of Korean Buddhism, the modern meditation programs we developed transcends religion and is fundamental to mental discipline, potentially bringing peace to humanity.”

Ven. Ryujo Fujita expressed deep agreement with these sentiments, stating, “We, as religious leaders, must deeply contemplate how we can comfort people’s hearts and find ways to help them.”

Following the prayer assembly, both delegations conducted an academic lecture session on the same theme, “The Changing World Order and the Possibilities of Buddhism.” After the lecture, the Buddhist communities of both countries adopted a joint declaration, pledging to lead in promoting Seon meditation for peace of mind. They stated, “In these uncertain and unstable times, the teachings of the Buddha can be presented to the world as a way to overcome division and confrontation. Korea and Japan must set an example.”

*The pictures are from: www.ibulgyo.com