President Lee Jae-myung on the 24th, marking Buddha's Birthday in the Buddhist year 2570 (2026), said the popular sovereignty government will take the precious words of the Buddha as its guiding light to look more carefully into the life of each and every citizen and make Korea a country that listens to the voices from the lowest places.
At a celebration dharma ceremony held at Jogyesa Temple in Seoul that day, Lee said, "Above all, we will do our utmost to build a 'government that saves the lives of the people' and put into practice the teaching that all are noble and everyone is equal," and stated accordingly.
Lee said, "The Buddha's teachings have shared joys and sorrows in our lives over many years, healing pain and embracing marginalized neighbors whenever we faced national crises and grief," adding, "Even amid war and poverty, disasters and social conflict, the lights of the temples never went out, so whenever the people were weary of life, they could pause for a moment and find peace of mind."
He also said, "In particular, the Buddha's teaching that all sentient beings should understand one another rather than reject each other, and seek harmony rather than confrontation, has been a solid pillar that has made our society a stronger community."
Quoting the Buddha's words, "Hatred does not disappear through hatred; it disappears only through compassion," he emphasized the spirit of harmony, saying, "What our society needs urgently now is a warm heart that seeks to move toward coexistence and mutual prosperity, not each-on-their-own survival, and the spirit of consideration and understanding that reconciles and embraces differing views."
He added, "We will engrave deeply in our hearts the spirit of wonyung-hoe-tong (圓融會通·harmoniously reconciling different disputes into one communication) and, with united strength, overcome the crises facing the people and the nation," and, "I hope each lotus lantern illuminating the country today becomes a light of hope that connects our hearts."