New Delhi, Feb 7: Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, announced that 108 Buddhists from Republic of Korea will walk over 1,100 kms over 43 days as part of walking pilgrimage being organized by Sangwol Society of South Korea. 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 tourists will visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar in India and subsequently move to Nepal. 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 the first hand teachings of Bhagwan Buddha and traces the footsteps of Buddha during his lifetime. The sites to be covered during the pilgrimage span the life of Buddha from his birth to his Parinirvana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Secretary welcomed the pilgrims and assured all assistance from Govt 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 Feb 9 to Mar 23, 2023. With the slogan 'Oh, We! Oh Love! Oh, Life!', the pilgrimage organized by Sangwol Society, aims to spread Buddhist culture of devotional activities through a pilgrimage to India where the life and footsteps of Gautam Buddha are preserved.

 

  

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