Top Korean Buddhist leader lauds Pakistan’s efforts to preserve historic sites

SEOUL: A leading Korean Buddhist leader has lavished huge praise on Pakistan for its efforts to preserve the historic Buddhist sites.

The President of Korea’s largest Buddhist sect the Jogye Order, Ven. Wonhaeng described his recent trip to Pakistan as spiritually stimulating, saying he had several heart-felt moments because of the country’s historical ties with Korean Buddhism.

“I was deeply moved when I first stepped into Pakistan because it is the home country of the Ven. Marananta, who brought Buddhism to Korea about 1,600 years ago,” he said in a Buddhist ceremony in Seoul last week, according to The Korea Times. “I was touched when I thought of him, who toiled to come all the way to East Asia against all the odds to spread Buddhism.”

Ven. Wonhaeng said his trip to Pakistan reminded him of the importance of the spread of Korean Buddhism overseas.

“Among others, I was impressed by the Pakistani government’s ceaseless efforts to preserve historic sites having a trace of Buddhism,” he said. “This reminds me of Korean history books which state that Ven. Marananta brought Buddhism to Korea in the fourth century.”

Ven. Wonhaeng returned to Korea in late November after a visit to Pakistan from Nov. 16 to 24. During the week-long trip, the Jogye Order leader met Buddhist leaders and politicians, including Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi.

Ven. Wonhaeng also met with Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi.

The Korean Buddhist delegation traveled to several historic sites, including the Lahore Museum, which has many Greco-Buddhist sculptures and Mughal and Pahari paintings.

The Jogye Order said an agreement was reached to establish a Korean temple at one of the Buddhist sites in Pakistan.