Culture

Buddha's Birthday -- International Lotus Lantern Parade

by meyers | May 9, 2005 at 08:35 am

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Celebrating the 2548th year of Sakyamuni Buddha's (the founder of Buddhism) enlightenment, the annual Lotus Lantern Festival was observed this weekend. Buddha's Birthday is celebrated worldwide and is a very popular and fun-filled time in Korea. The Lotus Lantern Festival in downtown Seoul draws over 30,000 people who parade the streets of Jongno in the capital. Commonly referred to ``Chopail,’’ the day is observed as a national holiday in Korea, on which followers of Buddhism across the nation head to temples for special services.

By making lanterns in the shape of a lotus—a design unique to Korea—one expresses the aspiration for wisdom as the lotus represents the shedding of ignorance—growth from muck—and the attainment of wisdom—blossoming in sunlight. The candle inside symbolizes the attainment of wisdom by, very literally, shedding light in the darkness.

Buddhism had flourished in Korea since its introduction in the 4th century, but was replaced with Confucianism during the Chosun Dynasty. No longer permitted to worship in public, Buddhist monks were forced into the remote hills. Today, about half of South Korea’s population claims to be Buddhist.

The Justice Ministry in South Korea, on the occasion of Buddhism's most important day, released thousands of inmates in observance of Buddha's Birthday. 2,058 ``exemplary" inmates were pardoned by the government right before the national holiday. Some ceremonies were held in advance.