Dec. 18 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's largest Buddhist order held a Christmas tree lighting ceremony Thursday at Jogyesa Temple in central Seoul, bringing together religious leaders from multiple faiths in an annual event organizers described as a symbol of interfaith harmony and peace.
The ceremony took place at Jogyesa, the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, in Seoul's Jongno district.
Venerable Jinwoo, the Jogye Order's chief administrator, delivered a Christmas message at the event, saying, "We sincerely celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, who came to illuminate this dark world."
"Though we walk different paths, we share the same heart to alleviate human suffering and bring light to the world," he said, adding that participants were renewing a commitment to "unity in diversity."
Jinwoo said interfaith harmony is a powerful social force for reducing conflict and building peace and urged religious communities to work together toward mutual prosperity.
