By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter
While the society is split over the administration's alleged favoritism of Christianity over Buddhism, a Buddhist monk and a Catholic priest have embarked on a long, painful journey around the nation to help mend the division.
Ven. Sukyeong and priest Moon Kyu-hyeon started their 59-day pilgrimage on Sept. 4 in Mt. Jiri and will wrap up their 200-kilometer-journey on Nov.1 at Gongju, South Chungcheong Province.
The two leaders and their followers showed their willingness to work for peace among different religious beliefs by prostrating themselves full length on the ground, rising, taking three steps forward, and then repeating the action. They repeat this hundreds of times to move forward. Putting one's knees, elbows and forehead on the ground at the same time implies the utmost respect, a Buddhist group spokesman said. It is much harder than three steps and one bow, he added.
In fact, on Wednesday, the sixth day of the journey, the monk and the priest both suffered from severe stress and pain. ``When throwing oneself on the ground, little pebbles get into the flesh and the body cannot handle the shock,'' Buddhists' environmental civic group Buddha Eco's spokesman Myung Kye-hwan said.
Especially since Sukyeong has undergone knee surgery and Moon, at 65 years old is an elder, the physical performance isn't easy. ``There are some volunteers trying to look after their health, but since the trip involves extreme physical stress, the condition of their bodies is getting worse every day,'' Myung said.
Among the long line of followers who are also seeking ``harmony and understanding among each other under the Lee Myung-bak administration,'' there are some protestant pastors and people from other religions, too. Since Protestants do not allow bowing in many cases, they declined to be at the front, an insider said.
Moon expressed no concern about following the Buddhist rules. He said, ``These are rituals to empty ourselves. We need that, too.''
Spokesman Myung said a growing number of people are expressing interest in participating in the journey. ``For the past several months, we have seen the President's arrogance and his failure to accept something different. However, we decided to stop blaming him. In other words, we decided to accept his flaws and repent ourselves. That is the spirit of religion and belief, love and compassion'' he said.
Even during their ordeal, the two leaders managed to crack a joke. ``I think I thank the President. If it weren't for him, when would I ever have chance to do this again?'' Sukyung said.
``When I had to lower myself by throwing myself on the ground, it really hurts. I really didn't like the feeling. Then I realized, that's why people cannot be humble nor make themselves lower in position than others ― it hurts,'' Moon said.
This is the third event of its kind since 2000. In 2000 they protested against the Saemangeum reclamation by making one bow in every three steps and in 2007 against the cross-country canal project, one of President Lee's main pledges.