By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
The Buddhist religious community is sizzling over the Lee Myung-bak administration's alleged discrimination against their faith. The leaders held a joint protest at 10,000 temples nationwide Sunday, requesting President Lee to apologize for what they called his favoritism toward Christianity.
The protest started with the religious leaders' striking big bells inside the temples 33 times followed by prayers and bowing. ``The constitution guarantees all people are not discriminated against or disadvantaged due to their religious beliefs,'' the statement said.
The gathering caused neither traffic congestion nor accidents. But the leaders vowed to hold a nationwide rally unless the government comes up with appropriate measures ― an apology from the administrative leader and the resignation of the National Police Agency Commissioner General Eo Cheong-soo.
The Buddhists' antipathy against the administration first surfaced when the names of the temples were excluded from government-directed electronic maps for drivers.
But long before, President Lee, a Presbyterian, was already at the center of attention. He has constantly been criticized for appointing his Church network cronies for his Cabinet in February. Then, he reportedly failed to send congratulatory message to the Buddhists on Buddha's birthday, which the Presidential office later explained away as an administration error. However, he invited New Right leaders including reverends to Cheong Wa Dae recently.
His subordinates were blamed for favoritism, too. Eo was reported to have attended Christian gatherings emphasizing his ``devotion'' toward the religion. Police officers searched the car of the Ven. Jigwan, the chief executive of the country's largest Buddhist order Jogye, in their search for anti-U.S. beef protest organizers taking shelter at a downtown temple.
The news angered the Buddhists. They have already held a protest last Wednesday to deliver their messages.
On Saturday, Ven. Sambo attempted to disembowel himself in protest to the President's ``biased invitation.'' He wrote a note in his blood reading ``Stop discriminating against Buddhism.''
Nether the presidential office nor the police agency has yet responded to such criticisms.
The Buddhists will hold a high-level meeting Wednesday to discuss future plans regarding the protests.