Untitled Document
 Spring
in Korea is a beautiful time of year. The weather starts to get warmer,
the trees grow new leaves, and flowers and cherry blossoms go into full
bloom. Throughout the months of
April and May, several festivals are held nationwide. One festival,
which is held this month, not only lights up the country but also
celebrates Buddhism and Korea’s
traditions. Do you know what it is? It’s the Lotus Lantern Festival, or
Yeondeunghoe!
 Traditionally, the festival
has been a part of Buddha’s Birthday celebrations. However, due to
the popularity of the event, the festival now welcomes all religions and ethnicities.
“Yeondeunghoe started as a Buddhist ritual, but now it’s become
a cultural event to experience Korea’s traditions,” said Shin Yeong-jin,
a publicist for the event.
The tradition of lighting lanterns came to Korea from ancient India,
according to the Jogye Order, Korea’s largest Buddhist
sect. The oldest records that mention lanterns are from the Silla
Kingdom (57 BC to 935 AD). The lanterns became part of official festivities during
the Goryeo Dynasty (918 to 1392), when Buddhism was the national religion.
Today, the festival embodies hope for “a world that is brighter and
free of dark troubles.”
 This
year, the lantern lighting ceremony was held at Gwanghwamun Square
in Seoul on April 23. Modeled after the Seokga Pagoda, the 18-meter
lantern was made out of 3,000 pieces of traditional Korean paper.
The festival itself ran from May 10 to 12 and featured various exhibitions, performances, and parades.
For the first time this year, the festival also used LED lanterns.
 “We’ve
decided to adopt LED technology in the Lotus Lantern Festival this
year, which will replace candlelight,” said
MonkJihyeon. “Of the 100,000 lanterns that will appear at the Jogye
Temple, the streets of Jongno Districtand the downtown area, half of them
will be LED lanterns and half of them conventional candlelight
lanterns.”
Were you able to check out this year’s festivities? Be sure to take
part in this beautiful and culturally rich festival every year. You
won’t regret it! |
|
|
|
