What exactly is Buddha’s Birthday all about? Once upon a time, a prophecy was made about the Prince Siddhartha (now known as Buddha). According to legend, a great astronomer predicted, “The prince would become a great ruler or great holy man depending on the life he experiences outside the palace.” The king, determined his son would become his successor forbade the prince from venturing outside the palace walls. Finally, the prince had enough of life as a prisoner in his own home. Against his father’s will, he ventured into the town where he encountered an old man, a sick man, a corpse and a holy man. After these meetings, he renounced the material world and began his spiritual quest.
This is a special time celebrated on the Lunar calendar. Koreans call it 부처님 오신 날 meaning “the day when Buddha came.” Usually, this party is celebrated from April-May on the Lunar Calendar. Moving to Korea was the first time I had experienced anything to do with the man himself. If you find yourself In the Land of the Morning Calm during this time, here’s a guide to Buddha’s Birthday in South Korea.
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How is Buddha’s Birthday celebrated in Korea?
Temples will give out temple food like vegan bibimbap and there will be lots of praying and monks about. They’ll come from many different countries and educate people on how Buddhism is practiced in their homelands. Many women will volunteering at the temples will wear hanbok and help you pray to Buddha. In addition, local neighborhoods, main sqaures and streets will be decked out with lanterns.
Manners and Etiquette
Don’t be loud and obnoxious during this time. Use your indoor voice at the temple and respect others. If you pray to Buddha, take your shoes off inside. No photography inside the temples either! To be allowed into the Buddhist temples in Korea, you are not allowed to be wearing short shorts or tops that don’t cover your shoulders. Be conservative.
Make a Lotus Flower
Part of the fun is making lotus flowers with a paper cup, You can take a special glue and paper in many different colors shaped like petals. With your finger, you dip it into the glue and start making a flower. It’s a great experience and a free decoration for your house. I was even given a flower by the kind people from the stand because mine was so ugly.
Watch a Parade
Part of the fun for Buddha’s Birthday is waiting for the darkness to come. There will be all sorts of lit up floats, people in hanbok, and music to enjoy the coming of Buddha. I saw the festivities and parade by Jogyesa Temple. In addition, you may choose to do a temple stay there during this time.
Gina Bear: Seoul
I think the best place to watch these festivities is at the Jogye-sa Temple. It’s completely covered by lanterns and illuminated at dusk. This is the most famous temple in South Korea for the festivities and for good reason. The only unfortunate part of this temple is it’s overcrowded.
Another popular spot for Buddha’s Birthday is Bongeunsa Temple which features temple stays and lanterns for the prince himself. Personally, I think this temple is the most beautiful and the least crowded. The grounds are enormous and offer peace and tranquility to all visitors.
Linda Goes East: Cheongju
Being part of a Korean family means also being part of a big Buddha’s Birthday tradition. My fiancé and I live in Cheongju and his family always visits the beautiful Songnisan National Park for Buddha’s Birthday. Just as many Koreans, they love being outdoors and are always in for a good hike. My favorite part of the holiday isn’t the hike, though. What I enjoy most about Buddha’s Birthday in Songnisan are the great celebrations at the major temple called Beopjusa. Here, hundreds of people get together for free bibimbap and are part of an entertainment program with singers, dancers and offerings to Buddha. All over the beautiful temple area, you can also take part in various activities, such as Korean calligraphy or making a traditional lamp. If you’re looking for a local Korean Buddha celebration at a prestige national park for one of the biggest holidays in the country, come to Songnisan and you will not be disappointed!
Roam With John: Daegu
For Buddha’s birthday weekend this year, I decided to visit the famous temples in South Korea to celebrate. My first stop was in Daegu because I heard that there was going to be floating lanterns. I arrived at the Daegu Tower and wait with thousands of people in attendance. Some people registered for a lantern but unfortunately, I was didn’t register. However, I was able to film the release of the lanterns and the sky was lit with beautiful glow of lights.
Roam with John: Busan
My last stop for the weekend is in Busan where I visited Haedong Yonggunsa and Samgwangsa Temple. Haedong Yonggunsa is known as the seaside temple. You can enjoy a panoramic view of the temple and the sea if you walk up the stairs. Samgwanga is a photographer’s dream to visit during this weekend. This temple is filled with lanterns and the city of Busan is in the background.
I really enjoyed my time at these temples. It was definitely a sight to see. I would recommend visiting any of these famous temples and checking out the lantern parades.
Fun Day Trips to Temples
If you’re not a big fan of crowds and want something bit more peaceful, I can recommend these Korean temple tours.
- Hwagyesa Temple Stay – This temple stay takes place near Bukhansan Mountain and is a peaceful day trip from Seoul. You’ll get a meditation program as well as make crafts like a lotus lantern or prayer beads.
- Jeondeungsa Temple Stay – Located in Incheon, you’ll stay on island that was inhabited as far as 1500 years ago. You’ll experience the lifestyle of the monks and the relaxing benefits of being away from society while looking at the gorgeous and breathtaking scenery of Ganghwa Island.
- Mt. Seorak + Naksansa Temple Tour – Here, you’ll get to hike along one of Korea’s most famous mountains. (Especially stunning in the autumn when the leaves change color.) Naksana Temple also has a large Buddha Statue and a tranquil lotus pond.
Throughout his life, the prince lived selflessly and helped others. We can all learn from his example and be kinder to everyone 365 days a year. In the meantime, it’s fun to enjoy the brightly colored lanterns that adorn the sidewalks and give a breath of spring to everyone.
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37 Comments on A Guide to Buddha’s Birthday in South Korea
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I love learning about other cultures and legends but I think what impressed me the most is the festivals. The lantern festival look out of this world amazing. We have a local Japanese garden here in South Florida that puts on a Lantern Festival and seeing your video has made me decide to attend this year. May not be the same or as grand and wonderful as the Daegu Lantern festival you attended but at least I will get a small taste. Thanks for the inspiration. Happy Roving!!!
Thanks so much! I never went to the one in Daegu, but I would definitely love to go next year! I think you should definitely check out the Japanese garden!
That video of the lantern festival is so beautiful! The lotus flower making sounds like fun too! I love being crafty although I am horrible at it 🙂
Me too! My boyfriend was laughing at me because my flower was so ugly, but I was really proud of it regardless! 😀
This is a really interesting post. I really enjoy reading about traditional celebrations like this. The pictures show that it is a very colourful affair and I love the fact that temple food is handed out to people to ensure it is an inclusive celebration. Great shout to include some tips on etiquette!
I definitely feel like Asia is full of color! I love that about Buddha’s Birthday.
Such a unique cultural experience. Thanks for taking the time to explain the history and philosophy behind these celebrations. I really love the beautiful lanterns but understanding their context is even better
Thanks so much for reading! I’m also a person who has to know the why, so I hope this will help everyone gain a better understanding! 🙂
Never experiences something like this. Must be really unique experience with all those lanterns and flowers!
I know you really love Africa, but would you travel to Asia? I feel like your love for Africa is the same as my love for Asia. <3
What a great celebration! I love the lattern festival in Daegu too! This really makes me want to visit. I almost, almost was coming to Seoul at the end of August but found a way cheaper flight with a layover in BKK. I will definitely keep this festival in mind for when I do eventually visit.
Please come to Seoul! If you come, let’s meet up! I love meeting fellow travel bloggers! Daegu is a bit farther away than Seoul, but totally worth the trip! 😀
This looks so colorful and I can practically feel the festive vibe after reading this (And looking at the pictures)! Are those lotus flowers easy to make? Do you get the basic material (cups/colors) or you start from scratch?
Usually at the stands, you get all the basic materials and they give you towels to wipe your hands on after you’re done. You glue the flowers with your fingers and it takes some time, but it’s totally worth it!
What an interesting holiday and a great way to explore Buddhism and Korean culture. The lantern festival looks amazing!
I never knew much about Buddhism until I moved to Korea. I think it’s fantastic that this festival and the religion is so inclusive! 😀
The Water Temple in Busan is my 2nd favourite temple – I wish I could have been there for the Lantern Festival and Buddha’s Birthday! It was really cool going to the parade and Jogyesa in Seoul this year having lived in Busan last year. I totally missed the floats going down the stream though 🙁 Gotta check out Daegu next year!
I definitely want to check out Daegu next year too! Let’s go together!
Sounds like a plan! I hope you’re enjoying Vietnam. Can’t wait to see your pictures!
I’ll have loads of photos when it comes down to it! 😉
So many amazing places to see and celebrate the long weekend (well, usually it’s a long weekend!).
Loved looking at all the lantern photos and reminiscing about our time in Korea!
Great round up Gina!
x
Where did you spend Buddha’s birthday when you were in Korea? This year wasn’t a long weekend, but I hope we’ll get a long weekend next year! 😀
Buddha’s Birthday is my absolute favourite time in Korea! I think it’s actually even prettier than the cherry blossoms. I really love all the colours. In my first year I spent Buddha’s Birthday at Namhae Island- the cliffside temple there is a beautiful place to see all the lanterns. They have a huge standing Buddha statue as well, it’s really cool!
I definitely agree that it’s more beautiful than the cherry blossoms. The lanterns make the world light up with so many different colors. I have yet to go to Namhae Island and I’ll need to check out this big standing Buddha.
I have been in Bongeunsa during Buddha’s Birthday and it was fantastic. There are just so many different things to photograph. Maybe I’ll give Jogye-sa a try next time.
What do you think was the best thing to photograph? I’m so in love with the places Linda and John mentioned, it’s hard to pick which place to go to!
Awesome post! I personally haven’t actually celebrated Buddha’s birthday because my Korean family are also Christians, so they don’t even indulge me by just giving me details haha. So I’m learning about how Koreans celebrate it through this post. Thank you so much! Will share on Pinterest 🙂
I didn’t really celebrate as much as I observed what was going on. I don’t pray to Buddha at all, but I respect what’s going on. Thanks for sharing this on Pinterest, Jackie! 😀
The Cheonggyecheon Stream is an active and beautiful stream with all these lanterns everytime Buddha’s birthday is coming. And of course, the Jongno Lantern parade is one event every foreigner has to experience when in Korea. Thr Yeonggunsa temple in Busan is so beautiful. It must be really enchanting to witness the festival and drop by the place at night.
Which one would you recommend I see next year? I want to do them all, but there’s so little time and so much to do!
I’ve also tried my hand at making those lotus lanterns, mine was nothing to write home about. I guess we need practice. On one of my Temple Tours we got to walk around the city of Gyeongju at night with lit up lanterns – very cool experience, which I recommend!
Same here! My little lantern was so ugly. I guess when you’re Korean you have an entire lifetime to get perfect. Hahahahaha. I need to see Gyeongju at night and look at those lanterns! Do you have a blog post about it? I’d love to do it next year!
Great post. I celebrated it in Chuncheon my first year as there was a 5 day-combo Buddha birthday and Children’s Day celebration happening. It was pretty awesome. I always loved how colorful Seoul got around that time of year. Did you spend it with your boyfriend’s family?
That sounds amazing! I would love a longer holiday weekend! Hahaha. Koreans work too hard. I didn’t spend it with Aaron’s family, but I did enjoy seeing the sites around Seoul.
I kinda had no idea what Buddha’s Birthday was about (other than what could be deduced) but thanks for the in-depth exploration of it and how its celebrated around the country. Jogye-sa’s lantern covered temple is so gorgeous!!! I wish I had taken the time to explore Korean culture while I was there. And that little lantern was made out of a paper cup?? I’m just floored hahaha
I couldn’t believe it was made from a paper cup either, but it’s definitely a neat little contraption! I’m so curious about everything so I couldn’t help but try and figure out this holiday myself!
Wow, love your post! I love all of the color, totally makes this super fun to read. I’ve been to Japan before and it’s so gorgeous there. I haven’t been to Korea though, I would love to. Thank you for sharing!
Vanessa Berlin xo!
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