Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날): Korea’s Festival of Lanterns

Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날): Korea’s Festival of Lanterns

Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날), meaning "the day when Buddha came," is a joyful and colorful holiday celebrated throughout Korea. Held on the 8th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar (usually in May), it honors the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism.

🪔 Origins and Meaning

Buddha’s Birthday has been observed in Korea for over a thousand years. Buddhism was introduced to Korea during the Three Kingdoms period (4th century AD), and it became a major part of Korean culture and spirituality.

The holiday celebrates the Buddha’s teachings of compassion, wisdom, and peace. In Korea, it is also called 석가탄신일 (Seokga Tansinil), which means "the birthday of Shakyamuni Buddha."

🏮 How Koreans Celebrate

• ✅ Lantern Lighting (연등행사): Colorful lotus-shaped lanterns are hung in temples, streets, and homes to symbolize enlightenment and hope.
• ✅ Lantern Parade: In Seoul and other cities, large-scale parades feature thousands of glowing lanterns in various shapes — dragons, pagodas, and more — filling the night with light.
• ✅ Temple Visits: Many Koreans visit Buddhist temples to offer prayers, participate in ceremonies, and hear Dharma talks from monks.
• ✅ Free Temple Meals: On this day, temples often serve free vegetarian meals to visitors and the community, promoting sharing and kindness.

🏮 What Is the Lotus Lantern? (연등)

The lotus lantern (연등) is the most iconic symbol of Buddha’s Birthday in Korea. The lotus flower represents purity and spiritual awakening, as it rises clean and beautiful from muddy water. Lighting a lantern is believed to bring light to one’s heart and mind.

📅 When Is Buddha’s Birthday?

Since it follows the lunar calendar, the date of 부처님 오신 날 changes each year. Here are the upcoming dates:

🎉 Fun and Surprising Facts

• 🔹 Lanterns in the shape of animals, flowers, and symbols can be seen during the lantern parades.
• 🔹 Non-Buddhists and tourists are welcome to join the celebrations and even make their own lanterns at temples.
• 🔹 The entire city of Seoul transforms with lantern decorations — especially around Jogyesa Temple (조계사) and the streets of Insadong.

🌍 Modern Changes

While South Korea is a modern and largely secular country today, Buddha’s Birthday is still a meaningful cultural celebration. Many people, regardless of religion, enjoy the beautiful lantern displays and the peaceful spirit of the holiday.

💭 Final Thoughts

Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날) is a time of beauty, light, and reflection in Korea. Whether visiting a temple, watching a lantern parade, or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, this holiday offers a wonderful glimpse into Korea’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Have you ever visited Korea during Buddha’s Birthday or made your own lotus lantern? Or do you have such plans?