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In this prestigious year when India and the Republic of Korea celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties, an event was organized on 22nd September 2023 by the Indian Embassy in Seoul and the Gaya Culture Promotion Foundation, Korea as part of a series of forums and cultural exchanges to mark the occasion.
During this event, the International Buddhist Confederation, along with the foreign ministry of Korea and the Gimhae city government, released a book titled ‘Gaya Buddhism: Unlatching the Gate.’
The book, written by Monk Domyeong, theorizes that Buddhism arrived in Korea from India by sea through Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya, who reached the Korean Gaya kingdom in 48 A.D. According to the Korean classic historical text Samgukyusa, Princess Suriratna married King Kim-Suro, the legendary founder of the Gaya Kingdom, and became Queen Heo Hwang-ok. The princess and her brother are said to have brought a Buddhist pagoda with them, the Pasa Stone Pagoda, which now stands next to what is believed to be the tomb of Queen Heo in Gimhae.
The event was graced by many revered venerable monks, Indian Ambassador to Korea Shri Amit Kumar, Korean officials, and many distinguished scholars and academicians.” A message by the Director General, IBC was aired out on the occasion.
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