President Lee Myung‐bak issued today a message of condolences on the passing of the Great Monk Venerable Beopjeong. The message follows:

“You have lived empty‐handed all your life and you left empty‐handed today. However, you have left immeasurable teachings to all of us living. You have showed what is compassion and what is truth through your living as well as preaching. You said, ‘only those who choose to lose will gain eventually,’ emphasizing the life of non‐possession. You taught how important it is to live the life of giving up self and instead giving to our neighbors. It is an invaluable lesson to the people of today who strive to possess more and more and desire to go up higher and higher in this world.

“You are no longer with us. But the fragrant wisdom and loving heart steeped in your preaching and countless books you authored will be with us for a long time.

“I pray for your rebirth in paradise in the Buddhist Western Pure Land.”