Korean Buddhists are protesting what they believe to be religious discrimination (and Christian favoritism) by the South Korean government.

South Korea has about 10 million Buddhists and 13.7 million Christians. Furthermore, 4 out of the country’s 10 past presidents have been Christians. The largest denomination of Buddhism is the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism – the group leading the protest against the government.

The map that started it all

On June 24, the Jogye Order issued a statement claiming the government had intentionally left Buddhist temples off of the government transportation map. According to BuddhistChannel.tv, “in 2003, when the previous government built the online information system, the Buddhist temples were marked on the map. But a version updated on June 9 dropped them.” The map did, however, show Protestant churches.

The ministry had previously apologized (calling the error an oversight) in a press conference on June 23 and corrected the map after two top presidential aides and senior ruling party legislators visited the temple. But it was too little too late for Korean Buddhists. Buddhist monks went on to accuse the president, Lee Myung-bak, of favoring Christians for his Cabinet (10 of the 15 ministers are Protestant, 2 are Catholic). They also noted that the Protestant deputy head of presidential security had told a newspaper he had a dream “to evangelize all government ministries.”

The beef that made things worse

Then in July, a group of activists led violent anti-beef protests. The police sought them, and the activists found refuge at a Jogye temple.

Things became tense when weeks later, police searched the car of the Jogye’s head monk. Protesters claim he was treated like a criminal.

Visit BuddhistChannel.tv for more of the Jogye Order’s accusations against the government.

Taking action against the government

On August 12, the Ecumenical Youth Council in Korea, the Korean Youth Buddhist Association, and 7 other youth groups called for the enactment of a nondiscrimination law (i.e., a law against religious discrimination).

27 Buddhist sects and organizations are taking the call a step further.  Next Wednesday they will hold a rally in protest of “Mr. Lee’s Christian-friendly policy” and in favor of a ban on religious discrimination and an apology from President Lee.

Learn more about the Jogye Order on their official Web site.

Be Sociable, Share!

• 
•