Buddhists across South Korea on Sunday held protest services against what they say is religious discrimination by the government of Christian President Lee Myung-Bak. Worshippers gathered at some 10,000 temples across the nation to voice anger over what they see as an official pro-Christian bias since Lee came to power in February, Yonhap news agency reported.
In the capital Seoul, about 3,000 Buddhists attended a service at Jogyesa temple, headquarters of the Jogye Order, the nation's largest Buddhist sect.
Some picketed outside the temple, carrying signs that read "Legislate against religious discrimination" or "The Lee Myung-Bak government must repent."
Jogyesa chief monk Jigwan warned of a deepening religious schism in the country, saying: "Members of the society need to respect each other, regardless of their religion. A nation is powerful only when it is united."
On Saturday, a Jogyesa monk, the Venerable Sambo, slashed himself in the abdomen and wrote a note in his own blood reading "Stop discriminating against Buddhism." He was taken to hospital for treatment.