Christmas at Jogyesa

Monks and Buddhist laity at Jogyesa, head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism unfurled a banner at their temple wishing everybody a happy Christmas.  The text reads, “To celebrate the birth of Jesus”. 

Sadly, relations between Christians and Buddhists have been strained in Korea of late.  The Buddhists have been frequent targets of proselytisation activities on the parts of Protestants and the president’s connections with vocal Protestant critics of Buddhism have left them concerned.  (The president is a devout Presbyterian.)  Thankfully, relations between the Catholic Church and the Buddhists are warm and friendly.  The Cardinal Archbishop of Seoul has hosted Buddhist leaders at Myeongdong Cathedral and has received similar warm hospitality from the monks at Jogyesa.  I have consistently found a warm welcome on visits to Buddhist temples.  But that welcome has become a great deal warmer when they found out that I am Catholic.