The Buddhist protests, rare in a country which guarantees freedom of religion, were indirectly triggered by months of street rallies against US beef imports.

Seven activists wanted by police for leading violent anti-beef protests took refuge in the Jogye-sa temple, headquarters of the largest Jogye order, in central Seoul in early July.

Tensions grew late last month after police stopped a car carrying Jigwan, the order's respected head monk, outside the temple and searched the boot.

Police chief Eo Cheong Soo apologised and disciplined two senior officers.

But Buddhists accused police of treating the head monk like a criminal and called for Mr Eo's resignation.

Leaders of major orders met Monday and agreed to hold a joint rally on August 27 against what they called Mr Lee's Christianity-friendly policy.

They want legislation to ban religious discrimination and an apology over the search from Mr Lee, who is an elder at a Presbyterian church.

A senior monk has gone on hunger strike, and five others have taken turns at the temple gate to offer symbolic support with temporary hunger strikes.

Monks also started a one-man relay protest for two hours a day outside Mr Lee's official residence.

'President Lee's favouritism of Christianity has led to the government's unequal treatment of different religions,' Hyegyeong, head of the Jogye Order's administrative office and one of the protesters, said on Tuesday.

'We are indignant at such an intentional act by police. This is a typical case of discrimination against Buddhism,' he said, watching a rally by about 40 followers demanding Mr Lee's apology.

Buddhists were also angered at an online map published by two ministries showing locations of Seoul's Christian churches but not major Buddhist temples.

Education Minister Ahn Byong-Man apologised and vowed to correct the map Monday after two top presidential aides and senior ruling party legislators visited the temple.

Mr Ahn and other officials insisted it was just an individual's oversight.

Official data shows South Korea has about 10 million Buddhists and 13.7 million Christians.

'President Lee is always neutral. He does not favour a certain religion,' a government official said, on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

'The president and his staff have been very cautious on religious matters. -- AFP