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Those gathered at a prayer gathering by Won Buddhist monks to mark the 100-day anniversary of the crowd crush in Itaewon that claimed over 150 lives bow their heads as they send comfort to the spirits of the deceased at a citizens’ memorial at Noksapyeong Station in Seoul on Feb. 2. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

While the Association of Families of 10.29 Itaewon Disaster Victims and the Oct. 29 Itaewon Tragedy Citizens’ Action Meeting were holding an event three days before the 100th day after the deadly crowd crush in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul as part of a week-long memorial for the tragedy, Won Buddhist monks held a prayer meeting at the public altar at Noksapyeong Station, in Seoul’s Yongsan District, on Thursday afternoon.

While ringing bells to comfort the spirits of the victims, the Won Buddhist monks began their prayer meeting in front of the altar, which they’d organized to comfort and encourage the hearts of the bereaved families and to enable the spirits of the victims to reach complete nirvana and enter paradise.

Won Buddhist months hold a prayer gathering on Feb. 2 at the citizens memorial for the Itaewon crowd crush to commemorate 100 days having passed since the deadly tragedy and to comfort the spirits of the deceased. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

The meeting, the monks said, was inspired by religious figures and laypeople sympathetic with the bereaved families who are united in their desire to commemorate the spirits of those who died without a chance to settle their earthly affairs and to have the tragedy fully investigated and the guilty parties held responsible with no exceptions.

The prayer meeting on Thursday was attended by 17 members of the bereaved families and nine Won Buddhist monks. The photos here depict flowers at the altar and the prayers that were held during the event.

A Won Buddhist monk tolls a bell at the citizens' memorial for the Itaewon crowd crush on Feb. 2 as part of a prayer gathering for the souls of the deceased. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

Won Buddhist months hold a prayer gathering on Feb. 2 at the citizens memorial for the Itaewon crowd crush to commemorate 100 days having passed since the deadly tragedy and to comfort the spirits of the deceased. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

Won Buddhist months hold a prayer gathering on Feb. 2 at the citizens memorial for the Itaewon crowd crush to commemorate 100 days having passed since the deadly tragedy and to comfort the spirits of the deceased. (Kim Hye-yun/The Hankyoreh)

By Kim Hye-yun, staff reporter

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