religion – 宗敎 [jongyo]
Etymology
宗 (종) [jong] – fundamental knowledge;
敎 (교) [gyo] – teaching, religion, faith;
Fragments
In Korean, the word for religion is jongyo. The first Chinese character 宗 (jong) means “wooden floor.” The second character 敎 (gyo) means “teaching.” Hence, what we call religion is the teaching that helps human beings become a platform, or even the pillar that supports from beneath. If this is the case, what could be more important than teaching about God’s love? Is there any teaching greater than this? Human beings’ most ardent desire is to possess the love of God. Religion teaches us how to reach that summit. That is why the more it emphasizes God and the more it teaches His love, leading us to stand in awe of the absolute Creator of the universe, the higher a religion it is.
Chambumo Gyeong 11.1.5. (023-126, May 18, 1969)
The Korean word for “religion,” jonggyo, is formed using the Chinese characters jong (宗), meaning “the top,” and gyo (敎), meaning “to teach.” This means that the word religion signifies the highest though to fall education and teachings. Transcending age and environment, the teaching so fall religious founders have served as the driving force for protecting conscience and morality and developing culture. Accordingly, all religions are co-workers and collaborators in ending the world of sinfulness and constructing the ideal world desired by God and humankind. Among the scriptures that reveal God’s providence of salvation most plainly is the Christian Bible.
Han Hak Ja, Book 2: A Model for the Family Ideal and World Peace. August 22, 2017