Traditional Korean Scripture to be Unveiled at the APEC Secretariat in Singapore Tomorrow

A bronze replica of the Tripitaka Koreana woodblock containing an ancient Buddhist scripture, the Sutra of Wisdom, will be presented to the APEC Secretariat by the Korean Government on Thursday, December 15.

The carving is being presented in appreciation for the cooperation and support provided by the APEC Secretariat in Singapore for the 2005 APEC Year that was hosted by Korea.

The Sutra of Wisdom is a 260-character summary of the contents of the Sutra of Great Wisdom. This is the shortest scripture of Buddhism but is believed to encompass all elements that Buddha preached.

The Tripitaka Koreana will be officially unveiled by the Chair of the 2005 APEC Senior Officials' Meeting process, Ambassador Kim Jong-Hoon.

The carving will be on display in the lobby of the APEC Secretariat building.

The media are invited to view the unveiling and to interview officials at the event:

Time: 10:30am, 15 December 2005
Venue: APEC Secretariat, 35 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, Singapore

The Secretariat has received numerous gifts from member economies, the more recent being an Easter Island Moai sculpture from Chile, a Dance Head Dress from Thailand and a set of colorful glass baskets from the United States by renowned artist Dale Chihuly.