Please read this and see what Korean Buddhists are experiencing
in South Korea. I can't help but feel disturbed and wonder why does
the Christians condone such heinious and ungodly acts. I am not
angry at Christianity but some terrible Christians who look down on
Buddhism. Why can't we live in a world of mutual respect?
( taken from http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=89,11172,0,0,1,0 )
by Emi hayakawa, BTN, Nov 6, 2012
Seoul, South Korea -- Vandalism and arson of Buddhist temples
and treasures, and important cultural properties relating to
Buddhism by the Korean Christian and Protestant communities
continue. Although many legislative laws have changed to protect
cultural properties and national treasure after the tragic arson of
the Namdaemun gate, national treasure No.1, vandalism to Buddhist
temples and Buddhist treasures continue in Korea.
On October 4th, 2012, an arson tried to burn down the
Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaomsa Temple in Gurye County, Korea.
Fortunately, the fire only made a small damage to the gate of the
hall due to quick actions of the monks and the fire prevention
restoration made in 2008.
On the CCTV, the video captured a man pouring a flammable
substance across the hall, and according to witnesses they smelt a
very arsenic substance coming from the hall before the man threw in
a match to burn down the Gakhwangjeon Hall.
Due to this incident, the Korean Buddhist community is in shock
once again and fighting for a stricter law enforcement for the
perpetrators of vandalism and arson to Korean important cultural
properties and National treasures.
Furthermore, on August 20th, 2012 a Protestant pastor, Seong,
vandalized the dharma hall of Donghwasa Temple. This pastor
self-proclaimed that he was from the SoonBokEum Church, was caught
urinating in the dharma hall and vandalized the Buddhist portraits
with a permanent marker. His poor actions was captured on CCTV of
the dharma hall.
The Buddhist community was outraged by this act and urged
law enforcements to put a stricter punishment as this act cannot be
charged with a simple invasion and vandalism punishment.
Although the law enforcement captured the pastor, they
considered this act as “unusual” and let the pastor go stating that
he was under mental disorientation. Thus, enraging the Buddhist
community because the Korean government and law enforcement is very
lenient towards destruction of Buddhist artifacts and National
treasures.
On November 2011, the stele that accompanied the stupa of
National Preceptor Jigwangguksa of Beopcheonsa temple, Korean
National Treasure No. 59 was vandalized. A giant cross was drawn
across the five meter stone statue and was opened to public on a
christian man’s Facebook and twitter page.
Similarly, in November 2011, near the Haewundae in Busan, Korea.
Four Buddhist temples reported vandalism and invasion by the Korean
Christian community, as they spray painted red lacquer on the hands
and faces of the Buddha statues.
Various vandalism of Buddhist cultural properties and Buddhist
temples, vandalism and destruction of Korean national treasures
have been going for several decades, and these actions are the root
causes of religious disharmony between the Korean religious
communities.
One of the biggest and significant act of vandalism by
Christians was in June of 2006 during the “Again 1907 in Busan”
festival by Korean Christians. The Christians prayed earnestly for
all the Buddhist temples and monasteries of the Busan area to be
destructed, and many Korean citizens were dismayed to find Korean
President Lee MyungBak to be the congratulatory commentator of this
event.
In February of 2011, there was another scandal where three
pastors came to the Jogye temple and ordered the monastics to
“believe in Jesus, as {koreans} we are all children of God.”
In 2010, a pastor and college students of the Christian faith
invaded Bongeunsa temple and began a “Ground stepping” and
had a protestant ritual for all the ground to be returned to the
land of God.
This was wide spread throughout youtube and the internet.
These various vandalism sparks fear of Buddhist discrimination
in Korea. Korea is in much need for the harmony of religions, and
these vandalism of the Korean Christian and Protestant community
need to stop.
So, are these Korean Christians who vandalised and burned the
temples going to heaven? If yes, I can imagine what's heaven is
like. :)
