Won Buddhism ready to help reunification

Prof. Park Kwang-soo

By Yi Whan-woo

Professor Park Kwang-soo, a Won Buddhism scholar, says the modernized form of Buddhism originated in Korea can play a role in inter-Korean unification as seen by its contribution to liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japan in 1945.

“The religion reshaped Korean society during the Japanese 1910-45 colonial rule by focusing on reform in school education and people’s mindsets,” said Park, the director of Research Center of Religions at Wonkwang University, in a telephone interview with The Korea Times, Wednesday.

And such reform will be critical to narrowing the widening ideological differences between the two Koreas, he added. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the peninsula’s liberation from Japan.

“It will take time to settle such differences,” Park said.

“A main cause of the ideological conflict is partly attributed to different historical views based on school education. That’s why educational reform should be the first step toward inter-Korean unification.

“Changing people’s mindsets in the two Koreas also will be necessary to form an amicable mood between them.”

Park, a Won Buddhist, underscored the role of religions in reshaping a society, saying that theme will be discussed at a seminar this month.

Wonkwang University and Sogang University will co-host the “International Seminar: Methodology and Topography for Study” on April 10 and 11.

The meeting will be at the Sogang University campus in Seoul on the first day and then move to the Wonkwang University campus in Iksan, North Jeolla Province, the following day.

Park said the seminar will also shed light on the role of religions in a changing society in Asia, and Korea and Japan in particular.

“We will also discuss the role of religion, including Won Buddhism, during the colonial rule to explore the proper perception of history and to find desirable directions for the future,” he said.

Park will deliver a speech at the seminar on April 11.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Won Buddhism since its principles were set up by its founding master Sotaesan.