Jeongaksa Temple donates 22 million won to Seongbuk-gu on Buddha's Birthday

Jeongaksa Temple, a Jogye Order Buddhist temple in Seoul's Seongbuk-gu, presented 22 million won (about $14,700) to the district on Buddha's Birthday, channeled through "Jageun Sarang," a giving group voluntarily run by the temple's members and supporters.

Jeongaksa Temple held a celebratory service on May 24 for Buddha's Birthday and presented the 22 million won to the Seongbuk-gu district office. The funds were raised through Jageun Sarang, a giving group voluntarily operated by the temple's members and supporters.

On that day, Jageun Sarang also delivered donations to 11 other organizations, including Seoul National University Children's Hospital, a group funding surgery for descendants of Ethiopian Korean War veterans, and a Mongolian tree-planting organization. Total donations made in observance of Buddha's Birthday reached 320 million won (about $213,000).

Jeongaksa has maintained a steady tradition of charitable giving in Seongbuk-gu since 2007, donating each year around Buddha's Birthday and during the winter season to support neighbors in need.

Head monk Jeongmok said the temple would continue putting compassion into practice. "Just as the Buddha taught us to always look after those around us, we will keep showing love and attention so that small acts of sincerity can come together into great hope," he said.

Seongbuk-gu presented the temple with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of its sustained giving. The district said Jeongaksa's consistent charitable work "is a precious example of the warmth and spirit of mutual support that defines our community," and pledged to pass the donated funds on to elderly residents living alone who are in need.

The district added that it plans to continue expanding a culture of giving through community partnerships and to provide welfare services that residents can feel in their daily lives.