Korean Cultural Center New York presents Kyungtz'e Eosan Sooryukje: A Korean Buddhist Ritual for the Peace and Liberation of Departed Souls

November 13 & 14, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Theater at the Korean Cultural Center New York

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), a branch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, will co-present Kyungtz'e Eosan Sooryukje: A Korean Buddhist Ritual for the Peace and Liberation of Departed Souls with the Kyungtz'e Eosan Preservation Society on Friday, November 13, and Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the KCCNY Theater. Led by Venerable Dongju Wonmyung and his disciples, the performance introduces New York audiences to the sounds and movements of Korea's Buddhist ritual tradition.

Kyungtz'e Eosan is the Buddhist chanting and ritual music tradition of temples in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. Designated as Seoul Metropolitan Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 43, it includes beompae, the chanting of Buddhist ritual texts. Venerable Dongju Wonmyung is its designated holder. Passed from teachers to disciples through instruction and ceremonial practice, the tradition brings together chanting, percussion, and ritual dance. This presentation features the butterfly dance and cymbal dance, highlighting the artistry of Korean Buddhist culture.

Sooryukje is an elaborate Buddhist rite in which offerings are extended to all beings, including the departed and wandering spirits. Its guiding principle is compassion without distinction: all are welcomed and offered comfort, regardless of their circumstances. Through chanting, ritual music, dance, and offerings, the performance conveys this compassionate purpose and offers prayers for peace and liberation. A program book in Korean and English will help audiences follow the ceremony's sequence and understand its meaning.

Presented in the week of Veterans Day (November 11), the performance honors the dedication and contributions of veterans while remembering lives lost in war, terrorism, disasters, and other tragedies. Prayers will be offered in memory of those who died serving in the Korean War, victims of the September 11 attacks, and people who have lost their lives in conflicts, natural disasters, accidents, and other tragic events around the world. The ceremony also honors those who died while protecting and helping others.

The program includes Chugwon, a ritual offering prayers for the departed to be reborn in the Pure Land, a realm of peace in Buddhist belief, and for the health, happiness, and longevity of the living. Venerable Dongju Wonmyung will also offer comfort to departed souls who have no one to remember them, praying for their peaceful repose and for everyone's safety from disasters.

"Through this performance, we hope to introduce Korea's Buddhist cultural heritage and bring audiences from different cultural backgrounds together in remembrance and compassion," said Jeong Mi Lee, Executive Director of KCCNY. "We invite audiences to listen to the sounds and observe the movements of the ritual, reflect on life and loss, and take a moment to look within."

Admission is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required through the KCCNY website.

About the Korean Cultural Center New York

The Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY), a branch of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, was established in December 1979 to promote Korean culture and support cultural exchange in New York. KCCNY presents a wide range of cultural and artistic programs, including exhibitions, performing arts, film, and educational workshops. At its home at 122 E. 32nd Street in Manhattan, KCCNY serves as a cultural hub where audiences can discover and experience the richness of Korean culture.

About the Kyungtz'e Eosan Preservation Society

The Kyungtz'e Eosan Preservation Society preserves and transmits the Buddhist chanting and ritual music tradition designated as Seoul Metropolitan Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 43. Its work centers on the practice of Venerable Dongju Wonmyung and his disciples, who carry the tradition forward through teaching and ceremonial performance. @k_beompae_buddhist_ritual

For event details and RSVP, visit www.koreanculture.org and follow @kccny on Instagram.

For inquiries: Hyo Han (Program Director of Performing Arts), [email protected]

SOURCE Korean Cultural Center New York