Cultural Insight: Buddha's Birthday

  • Published
  • By Pak, Yong Hui
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Buddha's Birthday is just around the corner. This day is one of the most important Korean national holidays and has been passed down from generation to generation as a national folklore holiday for centuries.

Although Korea is a multi-religious nation, Buddhism holds a special place for many Koreans, regardless of their religious affiliation.

This day is called Bucheonim osin nal, meaning "the day when Buddha arrived;" or Seokka Tanshin-il, meaning "the day of Buddha's Birth"

The "Feast of the Lanterns" is celebrated to honor the birthday of Buddha. Lotus flower-shaped lanterns representing the truth of Buddha are hung inside temples and in the streets throughout Korea.

Many rituals and lantern parades are held at temples across the country. The largest parade takes place in Seoul beginning in Yoido and ending at the Chogyo Temple in the center of the downtown area.

Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the late fourth century and has remained a big part of Korean cultural history for more than a thousand years. Buddhism in Korea has been influenced by Shamanism, Confucianism and Taoism.

There are approximately 15 million Buddhists and more than 2,500 temples in Korea today. You can even find small Buddhist temples hidden deep in the mountains.

Reaching Buddha's land is like climbing up a mountain, requiring effort and patience.

The temple is the cradle in which Buddhists follow Buddha's word, meditate and give Buddha's message to the world. It is the place which leads people to their paradise.

At the entrance of the temples there are streams and stone bridges. When people cross these bridges, they throw away their agony and cross into the peaceful world. There are also stone lanterns to lead people to the brighter world.

Editor's note: Cultural Insight is a series of articles about Korean culture. If you have cultural questions or topics you would like to see covered by the 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs office, call 784-4044 or e-mail 51fwpa@osan.af.mil.