Social Economy Organizations of Gyeonggi Province Participate in Bongseansa Lotus Festival in Namyangju

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Kap-dong] Social economy organizations from Gyeonggi Province participated in the '22nd Bongseansa Lotus Festival,' raising expectations for expanded market access for social economy organizations going forward.

This is the first time social economy organizations have participated in a religious event in Gyeonggi Province.

The Bongseansa Lotus Festival, which began in 2003, is a religious event visited by approximately 2,000 people annually. This year's event took place from July 26 to 28.

Given the nature of religious events conducted primarily for believers, external companies' participation is not easily facilitated. However, when Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Province Corporation made their proposal, Venerable Hosan, the Bishop of Bongseansa, promptly accepted it, enabling the participation of social economy organizations from Gyeonggi Province.

The six participating social economy organizations operated sales booths selling food and miscellaneous goods, with plans to voluntarily donate a portion of their sales revenue to Bongseansa. Gyeonggi Province and Gyeonggi Province Corporation handled booth rental fees and various administrative support.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon visited the lotus festival site on the 27th to survey the event and expressed his gratitude to Venerable Hosan, the Bishop of Bongseansa.

Governor Kim explained the significance of the lotus flower, saying: "The lotus flower is rooted in mud, or in other words in the Saha world (娑婆世界), yet it displays hwachyeom sangjung (處染常淨), blooming beautifully toward the world, always inspiring us with various thoughts."

He continued, "I hope that the spirit of hwajang (和諍), reconciliation of all disputes according to Buddhist doctrine, becomes a great enlightenment for all sentient beings and many politicians and social leaders, so that we can join forces in creating a society that is better to live in and a world where people thrive."