Speech of Ji Won, Direktor of Social Affairs Departament of the chogechon Buddhist Organization

Greetings!

First of all, I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. Nazarbayev and the organizing committee for the conference and inviting us to this special occasion where the world's religious leaders can congregate.

Needless to say, it is an honor for the Korean religious community to be included in these proceedings. At the same time, I must apologize on behalf of Reverend Ji Kwon, President of the Jogye Order of Buddhism in Korea for not being able to attend today's meeting in person. I will be delivering this congratulatory message in his stead.

Kazakhstan has for many years maintained peaceful coexistence between Islam and Russian Orthodox Christianity as a multiethnic and multi-religious society. The nation has gained note as a country where Islamic and Christian culture coexist without religious disputes, and has gained due credit for the maintenance of peace between the religions.

Accordingly, hosting "the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions" here in Kazakhstan, a country, that is a veritable model for other countries of peaceful communal coexistence, is highly meaningful.

Although Korea, unlike Kazakhstan, is a mono-ethnic country, it does share with Kazakhstan the fact of many religions coexisting. Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, as well as Won Buddhism, traditional Confucian practices, and Cheondogyo - all play an active part in the nation's religious life, and there is an active dialogue between the religious communities. Religious leaders operate Korean Religious Leadership Conference for the pursuit of harmony between the faiths, where they meet regularly to present their vision to the nation. Reverend Ji Kwon, President of the Jogye Order, is the Chairman of this institution.

More than 50% of the population of Korea formally practices a religion, with the largest religion being Buddhism. Within Buddhism, the Jogye Order is the largest denomination. The Jogye order draws on more than 1700 years of history and tradition, and has considerable influence within Korean society. The Jogye Order is also the custodian of cultural properties like the Sokkuram Grotto Temple, and the Tripitaka Koreana stored at Haeinsa, both designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as the largest sect within Korean Buddhism, the Jogye Order has managed to coexist with other religions without discord through the maintenance of substantive dialogue between the faiths.

Unfortunately, the world continues to fall prey to clashes between ethnicities, religions, and civilizations. At this moment, a limitless number of sentient beings suffer from the effects of wars and disputes. These disputes originate in our desires, and our desires ultimately emerge from our own minds. Surely, if we can change our minds and be free of desire, we will be able to think of others, including other religions and countries. If we only change our minds, these disputes will ultimately disappear.

The religions of the world all pursue mercy, peace, and love for humanity. Fundamentally, no religion speaks of wars and disputes. The clash between nations originating from religion and continuing into the present day is due to a lack of deep understanding. To attain this deeper understanding between religions, more opportunities for a dialogue between religions will be required. In this sense, the hosting of the "Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions" in Kazakhstan for a dialogue between religions is deeply significant.

I wish to express my profoundest thanks to the President of Kazakhstan as well as to Leaders of the Senate and the Conference Organizing Committee for allowing the religious leaders of the countries to assemble here. I hope this conference of representatives from the world's religious leaders can be a new opportunity for the advancement of global peace.