By Kim Hyun
SEOUL, Dec. 20 (Yonhap) -- At Jogye Temple, a 600-year-old Buddhist sanctuary in the heart of Seoul, visitors brave the freezing weather to seek peace and prayers from the Buddha statue enshrined behind an ancient scholar tree. But these days, not many worshippers can hide their frustrations as manifested in the large placard hung at the temple's entrance: "Off-limits to the Lee Myung-bak government and Grand National Party lawmakers."
Buddhists are angry over the government's budget plan that in 2011 will reduce state aid for temple stay programs, which are cultural education sessions held at Buddhist temples.
"Even if (Lee) goes to church, he shouldn't discriminate against Buddhists," Choi Nan-hee, 78, fumed after an afternoon prayer at the head temple of the Jogye Order, the nation's largest Buddhist sect. "Buddhists are usually quiet people, not as outspoken as Christians, but once we stand up against it our force will be greater."
Read the full story at Yonhap News
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