LEH: The Mahabodhi International Meditation Centre (MIMC), Ladakh, and Hong Beop Sa Temple of Busan, South Korea have formalised a long-term institutional partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing spiritual practice, cultural exchange, education, environmental stewardship and humanitarian initiatives between the two Buddhist institutions.
The MoU was signed during a ceremony at the Mahabodhi Ozen Sattori House Seminar Hall following a round-table dialogue on the theme, “Building Bridges of Compassion and Peace,” attended by a South Korean delegation led by Venerable Shim San, Abbot of Hong Beop Sa Temple, and members of MIMC under the guidance of Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena.
Under the agreement, the two institutions will collaborate on exchanges involving monks, nuns, scholars, students and volunteers while jointly organising meditation retreats, cultural festivals, academic programmes, peace initiatives and environmental campaigns. A Joint Steering Committee will oversee the implementation and review of collaborative projects to ensure continuity and coordinated execution.
The partnership also includes a proposal to install a Korean-style stupa at the Buddha Park for World Peace in Ladakh, envisioned as a symbol of friendship and the shared Buddhist heritage of Ladakh and the Republic of Korea.
Welcoming the visiting delegation, Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena described Venerable Shim San as a spiritual leader committed to promoting global peace, ecological responsibility and ethical values. Recalling their long association, he highlighted the historical and spiritual links between India and Korea through the teachings of the Buddha and proposed the establishment of a Korea-Ladakh Friendship Association to promote sustained cooperation, cultural engagement and community service.
Addressing the gathering, Venerable Shim San said his friendship with Bhikkhu Sanghasena, spanning more than two decades, had been built on shared values and a common commitment to serving humanity. He described his visit to Ladakh as both a personal and spiritual milestone and reaffirmed his intention to deepen cooperation with MIMC in promoting compassion, peace and inner transformation.
Supporting the proposal for a Korea-Ladakh Friendship Association, Venerable Shim San expressed his desire to establish a Korean-style stupa within the Buddha Park for World Peace, saying it would stand as a lasting symbol of unity and the enduring relationship between the people of Ladakh and South Korea.
The programme began with Buddhist prayers invoking the blessings of the Triple Gem before participants engaged in discussions on strengthening cross-cultural understanding and peaceful coexistence.
According to the MoU, cooperation between the two institutions will extend to spiritual education, youth leadership, environmental conservation and humanitarian service, reflecting a shared commitment to compassion, wisdom and peaceful coexistence.
