Historic Buddhist Temple Visit by Sitting President

President Yoon and First Lady Kim Hyo-kyung attended the commemorative Dharma ceremonies of the Jogye, Cheontae, and Taego sects on Buddha's Birthday, the 2570th year of the Buddhist era, marking the first time a sitting president and spouse have visited all three major Buddhist sects. This visit is also the first instance of a sitting president and spouse jointly visiting Buddhist temples, and is viewed as part of the administration's policy emphasis on religious neutrality.

Attendance at Dharma Ceremonies and Speeches

President Yoon attended the commemorative Dharma ceremony hosted by the Jogye Sect at Jongmyo Temple in Seoul. The event was attended by over 10,000 people, including Jogye Sect Supreme Patriarch Seongpa, General Secretary Jinu, Elder Chairman Jangkwang, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choe Hui-young, and leaders from various civic and religious groups. President Yoon jointly offered incense with Jinu, praying for national peace and prosperity and national unity, and joined attendees in offering prayers.

In his speech, President Yoon emphasized the importance of national unity, stating, "We will internalize the spirit of harmony and integration, and overcome crises together as one people." Supreme Patriarch Seongpa praised President Yoon in his Dharma talk, noting, "Past leaders have shown religious bias, but this president has no such bias," and President Yoon responded by applauding along with the audience.

Visit to Cheontae Sect Temple and Alms Meal

Later, the President and First Lady visited Gwaneum Temple, a temple under the Cheontae Sect in Seoul, where they offered flowers at the Great Buddha Hall and partook in a midday alms meal. Senior Presidential Secretary Kang Yu-jung confirmed that they completed the alms offering through dishes including bibimbap, seaweed soup, and deep-fried ginseng. After exchanging warm words with General Secretary Dukso, they individually shook hands with citizens and responded to requests for photos.

Attendance at Taego Sect Commemorative Ceremony

In the afternoon, President Yoon attended the commemorative Dharma ceremony hosted by the Taego Sect at Chongyeon Temple in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. He jointly offered incense with General Secretary Sangjin, while First Lady Kim placed tea on the altar. In his speech, President Yoon emphasized, "The teachings of 'harmony through differences' and 'no separation between self and others' are the most essential wisdom for us today."

Presidential Office Explanation

Senior Presidential Secretary Kang stated, "This is the first time a sitting president has visited all three major Buddhist sects—Jogye, Cheontae, and Taego—on Buddha's Birthday. It is also the first time a sitting president and spouse have jointly visited Buddhist temples." The visit is interpreted as a gesture of gratitude for the Buddhist community's long-standing commitment to compassion, generosity, and the value of life, and as an effort to share wisdom on national unity and social solidarity.