Visual History of Korea
Su Ryuk Jae Buddhist National Prayer Ceremony

The National Su Ryuk Jae, an annual Buddhist ceremony to comfort the spirits of the deceased who died in waters and on lands everywhere.

The Su Ryuk Jae has been designated as an intangible national cultural treasure number 126 of Korea.

Buddhism was the national religion of the Goryeo Empire (918-1392) of Korea.

Comforting spirits of the countless dead in the mutiny as Silla Kingdom became the Goryeo Empire, was considered essential for a prosperous future for the new dynasty 1392.

During the Joseon Dynasty, the Su Ryuk Jae, which was considered a national prayer ritual, and it was often attended by the absolute monarch starting with King Taejo of Joseon (1335 - 1408).

The Su Ryuk Jae ceremony, originally performed for seven days and nights to comfort the spirits of those who died untimely, and certainly in tragic circumstances surrounding tumultuous events of history.

The original tradition of praying for the victims of manmade, national and natural tragedies began during the Goryeo Empire of Korea as documented in Goryeosa, the History of Goryeo books.

This year’s Su Ryuk Jae was held for seven days spread from September 3 through October 21, 2023.

On the last day of this year's national prayer ceremony at the Jinkwansa Temple, participants prayed for an eternal afterlife of the 1950 - 53 Korean War victims from the United Nations member states, and the victims of the current israeli-palestine war.

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