Present there were office-bearers of the Central Committee of the Buddhist Federation of Korea and its provincial, city and county committees, priests and monks of temples and Buddhists.

Rituals for commemorating the Nirvana Day were made to be followed by speeches and prayers for national reunification at the masses.

Speakers said that the Nirvana Day is being commemorated at a time when all the people of the country are waging a dynamic general offensive to bring about a decisive turn in building a thriving nation by intensifying the drive for a radical improvement in the standard of people's living in hearty response to the joint New Year editorial.

They called on all the Buddhists at home and abroad to unite in Dharma-mind under the uplifted slogan "Let all Koreans in the north, south and abroad join efforts to open a new phase of independent reunification!" and thus defuse the confrontation between the north and the south and the danger of war as early as possible and actively promote dialogue and cooperation.

The prayers said that the reckless moves of the south Korean authorities to provoke a war against the DPRK are getting evermore undisguised despite its efforts for dialogue and peace.

Underscoring the need for all the Buddhists at home and abroad to devote themselves to the practical actions for national development and prosperity on the basis of reconciliation, harmony, peace and equality, the prayers expressed the hope that an earthly paradise where the idea of getting rid of pain and achieving happiness will come true in the land of 3000-ri will be built in the present century as early as possible.