Monks to promote Korean Buddhism in Paris

Representative Korean Buddhist monks, including Ja Seoung, executive chief of the Jogye Order, will visit Paris to promote Korean Buddhism in Europe.

Some 50 monks from the country’s largest Buddhist sect will leave Korea on Oct. 24 to take part in a five-day event to be held under the theme of “1,700-year Korean Buddhist tradition and life of practitioners” in Paris.

It is the monk’s second visit to Paris after one in 2011. The visiting monks will meet France’s former Culture Minister Jack Lang on Oct. 25 and hold a temple food reception with 200 invited guests on the following day.

Books titled “Korean Buddhism,” written by Ja Seoung, will be donated to the Paris Diderot University, and a special lecture and cultural events to spread the religion will take place between Oct. 27 and 28.

“If the 2011 visit had been to introduce Korean Buddhism, this year’s event will focus more on the life and enlightenment of its tradition-following practitioners, in other words, the true ways toward happiness,” said a Jogye Order official.