 |
 |
• Lotus Lantern Festival on Buddha's Birthday
During
the Lotus Lantern Festival, which is held on Buddha's Birthday (8th of April, on
the lunar calendar), people put up lotus lanterns in which their long-held
wishes are contained. The festival has a long history and is one of the
country's major celebrations. Starting with the lighting ceremony in front of
Seoul City Hall, a wide variety of events are held, including exhibitions of
traditional lanterns in all sorts of colors and shapes, street festivals where
folk games are played and Buddhist culture is represented, lantern parades of
tens of thousands of people, and a Buddhist memorial service on Jongno and
Ujeonggungno streets in honor of the departed. |
|
 |
|
• Yeongsanje Ceremony of Bongwonsa Temple
Yeongsanje
is a grandiose Buddhist ceremony which reenacts the Seokgamoni, Buddha's
historical sermon of the Lotus Sutra on the Yeongchuisan. This ritual is very
meaningful in that it is said to awaken both the living and the dead, leading
them to nirvana. During the ceremony, Buddhist music and dances are performed.
For example, such musical instruments as the hojeok (a kind of trumpet), the
chwita (a kind of small drum) and the beopgo (a drum made of calf leather) are
played and butterfly dances are performed. While watching the ceremony,
spectators can enjoy traditional Buddhist foods consisting of wild vegetables,
green-pea jelly curds and rice cakes. |
|
 |
|
• Jogyesa Temple
The information center for
foreigners operated by Jogyesa provides visitors to the temple with an
opportunity to be introduced to the true spirit of Korean Buddhism and to learn
about the history and structure of Jogyesa. In addition, the temple runs a
number of programs which are designed to give foreigners a chance to experience
Korean Buddhism. The programs include meditation practice, tea-making,
introduction of Korean Buddhism and a two-hour long tour of the temple compound. |
|
• Hwagyesa Temple
The International Zen
Center of Hwagyesa teaches Korean Zen Buddhism to foreign monks and offers
English Buddhist services and English language programs for the general public.
A wide variety of other activities are also carried out by the temple. |
|
• Tongdosa Temple
The International
Department of the Busan Propagation Center of Tongdosa provides a systematic
program for foreigners to survey Korea's history and culture, especially
Buddhist culture. Lectures on Korea's traditional culture and seasonal folk life
style are available. |
