108 Monks From South Korea To Walk For Over 1,100 km On A 43-Day Buddhist Pilgrimage To India, Nepal

Aiming at strengthening the ties between Indian and South Korea, a total of 108 Buddhists from Republic of Korea will walk for over 1,100 km on a 43-day pilgrimage to Buddhist sites in India and Nepal.

Organised by Sangwol Society of South Korea, the tourists will visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India and subsequently move to Nepal.

The announcement was made by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra.

Chandra added that the occasion gains importance as India and South Korea celebrate 50 years of establishment of diplomatic ties. The pilgrimage aims to increase friendship and collaboration between the two countries.    

The sites to be covered during the pilgrimage span the life of Buddha from his birth to his Parinirvana.

Chandra further stated that it was the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Buddhist tourism circuit in India be taken to the world. The circuit seeks to help tourists experience first hand, the teachings of Lord Buddha and traces the footsteps of Buddha during his lifetime.

The Secretary welcomed the pilgrims and assured all assistance from the Government of India and hoped that the pilgrims would gain a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy from this visit.

The tourists will be on a 43-day tour to Buddhist holy sites in India and Nepal from 9 February to 23 March 2023. 

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, Chang Jae-bok said that the year 2023 is special for the bilateral relations between the countries as the two celebrate this historic milestone of 50 years of diplomatic relations. 

This occasion coincides with India’s G20 Presidency and South Korea is committed to India’s success at G20, he added.

The Ambassador further remarked that Buddhist teachings are similar to the motto of India’s G20 presidency ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

Speaking on the religious ties between India and South Korea, the Ambassador said that it evokes strong emotion and generates immense goodwill among the two peoples that fuels the bilateral relation. 

He further said that every year thousands of tourists visit India from Korea and this walking pilgrimage is being hosted by Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The walking pilgrimage will begin from Sarnath in Varanasi and will culminate at Shravasti after traversing through Nepal.

Informing the media about the significance of this event, the Ambassador said that the mega Buddhist pilgrimage is a befitting tribute to our shared Buddhist heritage. This will go a long way in further deepening the people to people contact. 

He added that the pilgrims, which include monks, will pay homage to eight major Buddhist holy sites, experience Indian Buddhism and culture, have a bilateral meeting of religious leaders, hold a prayer assembly for world peace and a blessing ceremony for the dignity of life.