The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation celebrated the transformative leadership and social contributions of Korean laureates of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, sometimes dubbed the “Nobel Prize of Asia,” at a ceremony held in Seoul on Tuesday. Among those honored at the event, held under the theme “Celebrating Greatness of Spirit in South Korea,” was the widely revered Korean Dharma master and Buddhist activist Venerable Pomnyun Sunim (법륜스님), who received the award in 2002.
The Ramon Magsaysay Award is an annual prize that recognizes and honors individuals in Asia and who have achieved distinction in their respective fields and have selflessly worked for the betterment of society. The prize was established in 1957 by the trustees of the New York City-based Rockefeller Brothers Fund in cooperation with the government of the Philippines. Since its inception, the award has been granted to more than 300 remarkable individuals and organizations.
As part of the proceedings to celebrate the distinguished laureates of South Korea, and following introductory addresses by Tess De Vega, ambassador of the Philippines to South Korea, and former RMAF secretary and trustee Delia Albert, a series of speeches by selected awardees was heard on the impact and importance of the Ramon Magsaysay Award—both for themselves and for the communities that they have helped. The event concluded with closing thoughts from Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation president Susan Afan.
The foundation has recognized 20 people in South Korea since 1962 for their commitment and services to society. Of these 20, four laureates shared their thoughts on 22 April: 2019 awardee Kim Jong-ki, a visionary advocate who founded the Blue Tree Foundation to combat youth violence, becoming a leading figure in South Korea’s fight against school bullying; 2002 awardee Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, founder of Jungto Society, which works to address modern crises through the Buddhist teachings, provide education and healthcare for the poor, and promote reconciliation and provide humanitarian aid; 1989 awardee Kim Im-soon, a widow who has devoted her life to caring for orphans, founding the Koje-do Christian Hospital to nurturing abandoned and handicapped children; and 1962 awardee Chang Chun-ha (represented by his son Chang Ho-gwon), a champion of civic consciousness who founded Sasanyge magazine, fostering an intellectual awakening and civic engagement in post-occupation Korea.
Addressing Tuesday’s esteemed gathering, Ven. Pomnyun Sunim, who received his 2002 award for Peace and International Understanding for his compassionate action to mitigate the human cost of the division of North and South Korea, and for his work toward the reconciliation and reunification of the Korean Peninsula, voiced his respect for fellow laureates, and shared his vision for a peaceful and unified Korea and world:
I’m very glad to meet you all today. We have recently heard some sad news, and so I’d first like to extend my condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, who has been a friend to people in need and in poverty all over the world. It is very unfortunate loss for this world full of conflict and war; we need more of these kind of people. So again I would like to extend my sincerest condolences.
Thank you very much to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation organizing this gathering to meet all the awardees in Korea. I would also like to congratulate the ambassador on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and the Philippines. And I would also like to congratulate the 100-year anniversary of Magsaysay awardee Kim Im-soon, who has devoted her entire life to benefiting vulnerable people. . . .
The Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation gave a lot of hope to the Korean people when they gave awards to people who have devoted their lives to freedom and to the welfare of vulnerable people and orphans.
The development of Korea has been enabled thanks to support from neighboring countries, such as the Philippines. So I would like to once again, expressed my gratitude to the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation and to the government of the Philippines.
Despite the armistice that came into effect in 1953 to pause the Korean War, we are faced with the prospect of continued conflict. Because there are two countries or two sides in the conflict, when we are full of hatred it becomes very difficult to help others.
In the late 1990s, the people of North Korea faced extreme famine, for a variety of reasons, and many people died as a consequence. Although we were still at war with North Korea, we could not walk away from such a situation. So we decided to help those in need despite facing significant opposition. . . . [and] many obstacles. . . .
As such, the news of the presentation of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for me was a source of a great deal of hope and encouragement. Although we were facing significant opposition within Korea, the international community recognized this kind of support as a positive movement.
Still today, we see a lot of enmity between North Korea and South Korea. The people who call for justice don’t have to limit their work within Korea, but can expand their reach beyond Korea. As we have received help from neighboring countries in the past, now it is time for us to give our support to our regional neighbors, to help where we can with human rights improvement and peacemaking.
Because the Ramon Magsaysay Award has recognized so many people who have worked hard on peacemaking and development in the Asian region, we are able to work together to nurture peace and prosperity in Asia. And because of this, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for the work of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation and for holding this event in Korea.
Ven. Pomnyun Sunim is a widely revered Korean Dharma teacher, author, and social activist. He has founded numerous organizations, initiatives, and projects across the world, among them: JTS Korea, an international humanitarian relief organization working to eradicate poverty and hunger; Jungto Society, a volunteer-based community founded on the Buddha’s teachings and dedicated to addressing modern social issues that lead to suffering; Ecobuddha, an organization focused on environmental ethics and sustainable living based on the teachings of the Buddha; and Good Friends, which promotes reconciliation and cooperation between the North and South Korea, and provides humanitarian aid to North Koreans. Ven. Pomnyun Sunim also works closely with the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB).
In October 2020, the Niwano Peace Foundation in Japan presented the 37th Niwano Peace Prize to Ven. Pomnyun Sunim in recognition of his international humanitarian work, intensive environmental and social activism, and his tireless efforts to build trust and goodwill between communities of different faiths and cultures, toward the goal of world peace.*
* Buddhist Monk Ven. Pomnyun Sunim Awarded the 37th Niwano Peace Prize (BDG)
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Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation
Pomnyun
Jungto Society
Jungto
International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB)
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