10,000 Buddhist Temples Protest Religious Bias

Ten thousand temples of 27 Buddhist orders simultaneously held a religious service yesterday across the nation to protest what they called the government`s religious bias.

Around 9:30 a.m., the temples rang their bells simultaneously to start the service. Buddhist monks said the incumbent administration is biased toward Christianity and urged religious harmony, and followers took turns in criticizing the government.

Between 2,000 and 3,000 followers attended the service at leading temples in Seoul and other areas. Ten monks burned fluffs on their arms in a self-purification ceremony at Hwagye Temple in Seoul. Temples that missed the service will hold a similar one today.

The organizers of the Buddhist service will discuss holding another rally after the Chuseok holidays once their representatives review the government`s response after Wednesday.

dunanworld@donga.com