Hwebul facts for kids
Hwebul (Hangul: 훼불 hwebul) is a Korean word. It comes from two parts: hwe, which means "destroy" or "damage," and bul, which means "Buddha" or "Buddhist." So, Hwebul means damaging or destroying things that are important to Buddhism. This can include setting fire to Buddhist temples, breaking Buddhist statues, or harming Buddhist monks and followers.
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Hwebul Incidents in Korea
What Happened in the 1990s?
In 1998, a person damaged about 750 Buddhist statues inside a temple.
Events in the Early 2000s
In 2000, at Dongguk University, someone drew on a Buddhist statue and wrote messages on a staircase. In 2006, in a plaza in Busan, some people prayed for churches to grow and for temples to be removed. In 2008, at Jogyesa Temple, offering envelopes were found with messages like, “Believe in Jesus, or you will go to Hell.”
Incidents from 2010 to 2018
In 2012, at Donghwasa Temple, a person broke in and caused damage. They wrote on a Buddhist picture and tore a Buddhist holy book. They also acted disrespectfully towards a sacred incense burner. In 2016, at Gaeunsa Temple, a person damaged statues and other items.
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