Breaking Barriers: South Korean Temple and Shincheonji Church Are Redefining Interfaith Harmony

Amid growing concerns over religious division worldwide, a unique event in South Korea is drawing attention for its fresh approach to interreligious dialogue. On July 13, 2026, the House of Buddha, a Buddhist temple located in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, hosted a special interfaith lecture aimed at fostering harmony between Buddhism and Christianity.

What made this third annual gathering particularly noteworthy was a rare cross-lecturing format: a Buddhist monk delivered a presentation on the Christian Bible, while a lecturer from the Shincheonji Church of Jesus discussed Buddhist scriptures.

The Growing Need for Religious Communication

The initiative comes at a time when the public demand for religious harmony in South Korea is rising. According to data from the 2025 Religious Perception Survey by Hankook Research, 82% of respondents recognized the significant social influence of religion. However, the survey also revealed that 62% perceived religious conflict within society as severe—a 9% percentage point increase from the previous year. Notably, non-religious individuals cited "exclusivity" (45%) and a "lack of communication" (32%) as their primary grievances against religious communities.

To counter this growing insularity, certain Buddhist circles in the Gangwon and Chungcheong regions have been organizing interfaith lectures since last year, inviting representatives from Christianity, Confucianism, and other faiths. Following previous events at Gwanumsa Temple in Wonju and Banya Seonwon in Hongcheon, the recent Jecheon gathering drew around 100 participants, including religious leaders and local civic figures.

A Cross-Cultural Exchange of Scripture

The highlight of the event was the exchange of doctrinal presentations, designed to look past historical prejudices and uncover shared values.

  • A Buddhist Perspective on Christian Prophecy: Venerable Jeonghye, the chief monk of the House of Buddha, spoke on Chapter 10 of the Book of Revelation. He highlighted the biblical figure tasked with testifying to the fulfillment of these prophecies, stressing that contemporary believers should seek a clear, realized understanding of the scriptures. He added that while the path to spiritual truth is traditionally narrow and challenging, enduring peace often blossoms from periods of hardship.

  • A Christian Perspective on Buddhist Benevolence: Conversely, Lecturer Jun-ho Jeong from the Philip Tribe of the Shincheonji Church focused his address on the Four Immeasurables (Four Sublime States) in Buddhism, particularly the concept of loving-kindness (Metta). Acknowledging the initial awkwardness of performing a traditional Buddhist hand-clasp (hapjang) as a lifelong Christian, Jeong emphasized that stepping out of one's comfort zone is essential for genuine reconciliation.

Seeking a Common Ground in Peace

The core consensus of the seminar was that the ultimate essence of all religion lies in peace. Following the formal presentations, attendees from various backgrounds shared positive feedback during a tea reception.

"Compassion is a defining element of Buddhism, and I was deeply moved to see how thoroughly the Shincheonji lecturer studied the Four Immeasurables," remarked Venerable Beopjin, the chief monk of Banya Seonwon. "This gathering represents a genuine leap toward mutual happiness."

An evangelical pastor present at the event, speaking under a pseudonym, called the hosting of a Shincheonji lecture inside a Buddhist temple "groundbreaking," expressing hope that both faiths could learn from each other's wisdom. Furthermore, Sang-gu Lee, head of the local Chapter of the Korea Expanded Dead-Leaf Association and a war veteran, noted that his firsthand experience with the tragedies of war made him deeply appreciate the event’s focus on community peace.

Jung-su Lee, the leader of the Philip Tribe, concluded by noting that because a significant percentage of historical global conflicts have roots in religious disputes, finding an answer to peace must begin within religious communities themselves. Organizers stated they intend to continue providing platforms for dialogue to practice the shared values of love, mercy, and peace.


Source: https://vo.la/jmRZftJ

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