The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, South Korea’s largest Buddhist order, marked the Christmas season on 18 December with an interfaith tree-lighting ceremony at Jogyesa, the order’s head temple in downtown Seoul. The annual event brought together Buddhist monastics and leaders from multiple religious traditions, with organizers describing it as a symbol of interreligious harmony, peace, and shared ethical commitment.
The ceremony took place in Seoul’s Jongno District, where Jogyesa serves as the administrative and spiritual center of Korean Seon (Zen) Buddhism. Each year, the temple hosts a Christmas tree lighting as a gesture of goodwill toward the country’s Christian communities and as a public affirmation of interfaith cooperation in a religiously diverse society.
Venerable Jinwoo, chief administrator of the Jogye Order, delivered a Christmas message during the event, offering words of recognition and respect for the Christian tradition. “We sincerely celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, who came to illuminate this dark world,” he said. (UPI)
Ven. Jinwoo emphasized that while religious traditions differed in doctrine and practice, they shared common ethical aspirations: “Though we walk different paths, we share the same heart to alleviate human suffering and bring light to the world.” He also described the gathering as a renewed commitment to, “unity in diversity.” (UPI)
In his remarks, Ven. Jinwoo highlighted interfaith harmony as a constructive social force, particularly in times of political polarization and global uncertainty. He urged religious communities to collaborate more closely, suggesting that cooperation across traditions could help reduce conflict and foster peace and mutual prosperity.
The ceremony was attended by senior members of the Jogye Order, including Jogyesa abbot Ven. Damhwa and representatives from a range of religious organizations. According to organizers, participants included the president of the Korean Conference of Religious Leaders for Peace, Choi Jong-soo, along with leaders representing Catholic, Cheondogyo, Protestant, and Won Buddhist religious communities.
South Korea is home to a pluralistic religious landscape. While a significant portion of the population identifies as non-religious, Buddhism and Christianity together account for a large share of religious affiliation. Buddhism, with roots on the Korean Peninsula dating back more than 1,600 years, has played a formative role in shaping Korean culture, ethics, and artistic traditions. Christianity, introduced more widely in the late 19th century, has grown rapidly and now represents a major presence in public life. Interfaith initiatives such as the Jogyesa Christmas ceremony have emerged as important forums for dialogue amid this diversity.
The Jogye Order has a long history of participating in interreligious engagement, particularly through organizations such as the Korean Conference of Religious Leaders for Peace, which brings together representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Confucian-inspired traditions, and new religious movements. These efforts have often focused on social welfare, peacebuilding, and responses to shared national challenges, including natural disasters and social inequality.
Observers note that the Christmas tree lighting at Jogyesa carries symbolic weight beyond its seasonal context. By hosting a Christian celebration at Buddhism’s central administrative temple, the Jogye Order signals an openness to coexistence and mutual recognition, while reaffirming Buddhism’s role as a moral and cultural voice within Korean society.
The ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the temple grounds, drawing onlookers and participants alike. For organizers and attendees, the event served not only as a seasonal observance but also as a public reminder of the potential for religious traditions to work together in addressing suffering and cultivating peace.
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Christmas tree lit at Jogye Temple as interfaith leaders gather (UPI)
Christmas tree lit at Buddhist temple (Yonhap News Agency)
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