Buddha's Birthday in South Korea

photo credit:  panoramio.com

if it's the 8th day of the 4th month of the lunar calendar year, it's buddha's birthday.
in south korea, it's also known as the day when buddha arrived.
at the most famous buddha temple in south korea, bulguksa, the celebration begins with a string of colorful paper lanterns all over the temple grounds. the temple is lit in a beautiful red hue. the lantern parade is about to begin.

the lanterns pay homage to the living and the dead:
white lotus lanterns - for ancestors (the lotus lantern is unique to korea)
colored lanterns - for living family and friends

join the club! you can get your very own lantern for a loved one, sign a piece of paper that is slipped onto the lantern, and hang it on any available spot on the string of lanterns. to top it off, you can make a wish by piling a high stack of small rocks. don't worry... you can't miss the many other wishes lying around. just follow along.

it's a beautiful day. it's a wonderful celebration. if you happen to be in south korea in the spring, check the lunar calendar for the 8th day of the 4th month. you just might be in time for buddha's birthday.

tiptoe through south korea

xoxo
s