SEOUL (UCAN) -- About 1,000 Buddhist monks made 108 deep bows to the ground before leading an estimated 30,000 people in a silent candlelight march through downtown Seoul.

The monks stepped onto the streets to support candlelight vigils against U.S. beef imports amid the government's violent suppression of these protests.

The Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist denomination in South Korea, organized the July 4 event.

Returning to City Hall at the end of the silent march, Venerable Sukyung told the people to make the candlelight vigils a "virtuous cycle," saying they have contributed toward restoring society's health.

"The candlelight first lit by teenagers is the symbol of nonviolence and peace. We Buddhists cannot bear to watch that symbol put out by state violence," said the monk, co-representative of the organizing committee.

He asked President Lee Myung-bak to have "real" communication with the nation and not hide behind conservative newspapers that distort the peaceful candlelight vigils as violent protests. After the Korean government resumed U.S. beef imports on June 26, it used riot police and water cannons to try to suppress the "illegal" vigils.

"Candlelight and water cannons symbolize our tragic life in this country," said Venerable Sukyung, who also represents Buddhist Environmental Solidarity.

At the end of their service, the Buddhists read out a resolution asking the government to revoke the resumption of U.S. beef imports and listen to the people's voice.

On June 30, the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice (CPAJ) organized a street Mass in front of City Hall to support the candlelight vigils. They also began a sit-in fast in a tent they set up there. About 20,000 people, not all Catholics, attended the Mass. Since then the CPAJ has held Mass every day at the same spot.

Following the CPAJ action, the National Council of Churches in Korea also held prayers there on July 3. About 10,000 people accompanied by 600 Protestant pastors participated.

President Lee had agreed on April 18 to resume U.S. beef imports, including beef from cattle older than 30 months, believed more at risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or "mad cow" disease. South Korea suspended U.S. beef imports in late 2003 after cases of mad cow disease were discovered in the United States.

Starting on May 2, South Koreans held candlelight vigils across the country to protest the agreement. President Lee apologized twice and conducted an "additional" negotiation on the import terms, but this failed to satisfy the protesters.

At the Buddhist service, CPAJ president Father Simon Chun Jong-hun, speaking as an invited guest, told the people that President Lee is deaf to protesters' appeals. The priest recalled the president had promised he would serve the nation as a "servant."

"People of different religions gather here with one heart to make this place a space where we can share new hope," Father Chung said.

Yoo Mi-kyong, a Buddhist in her 40s, told UCA News on July 4 that after religious leaders joined in the vigils, the government stopped its violent suppression. "Religion is the light in society," she remarked.

Seo Hye-young, 28, who does not profess any religion, likewise told UCA News she thanks religious figures, especially Catholic priests, for protecting the candlelight vigils from the government's violence.

A Jesuit priest, Father Kolbe Chung Man-young, joined the sit-in fast. The major local religions -- Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism -- "getting together" to protect the people is "very significant," he told UCA News. "It might be the first time in the country" that this is happening, he said.

The CPAJ ended its sit-in fast on July 5. According to Father Chung, it achieved its aim of keeping the "candlelight burning peacefully" by protecting it from the government's violence.

On the same day, about 400,000 people joined in a big candlelight rally in Seoul, matching the turnout of a June 10 rally.

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