/Photography by Byron Jeong-won
Did you know that May 27th (April 8th of the lunar calendar) is Buddha’s Birthday this year? Dongguk University is a Buddhist religious university based on the Buddhist spirit, honing its academics and personality and realizing the ideal world. Paljeongdo, the center of the school, the Buddha’s iconography and Jeonggakwon, show that the Buddhist spirit is contained throughout the school. Therefore, Buddha’s Birthday is a particularly meaningful anniversary for Dongguk University. The Dongguk Post explores what is special about Buddha’s Birthday and hears from students who participated in various activities and events held at Dongguk University to commemorate the day.
The meaning of Buddha’s Birthday and seasonal customsBuddha’s Birthday is when Sakyamuni was born in early April according to the lunar calendar.
Buddha Sakyamuni was born under an anhydrous tree in the Lumbini Garden, and as soon as he was born, he said, “All life is precious under the sky above the sky.” He shouted, “I will make the suffering people of the world comfortable.” Since then, Buddha has abandoned the status of the prince and guided the people in the right direction of life while traveling throughout India. Buddha’s Birthday is a day to spread the sermon for the right life of the people and to commemorate the deceased Buddha’s birth. Then, let us find out what traditional events are held on Buddha’s Birthday.
Seasonal customs are the customs of agricultural society and are traditional events held yearly according to agricultural cycles. Since ancient times, customs such as “Gwandeungnori” and “Seongbuldonori” have been performed on Buddha’s Birthday. “Gwandeungnori” is an event where a light is hung on the back to celebrate the Buddha’s Birthday. This custom has been practiced since the Unified Silla Period and has been prevalent since the Goryeo Dynasty. Today, lanterns have become a spectacular and beautiful sight lining the streets at night. “Seongbuldo Nori” is a traditional Buddhist game that embodies the ideology of Seongbul using dice and Buddhist prayer. This custom is an instructive play that understands the practice of Buddhism, the system of doctrines, and basic concepts of Buddhism through entertainment, making it relatively easy and simple to understand difficult Buddhist concepts.
Events held at Dongguk University in 2023 and the implications of these activities for Donggukians
Then, what are some events held at Dongguk University to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday in 2023? The most representative is the “Lantern Festival.” Dongguk University’s lantern festival is equipped with colorful lanterns around Paljeongdo, and in the evening, the lanterns are lit, boasting a spectacular view. In 2023, lotus lanterns were decorated more splendidly and grandly than in previous years, and a lighting ceremony was held on April 26th to mark the start of the lantern festival. The “Dongguk Light Festival” was also held. The Dongguk Light Festival allows participants to freely choose and perform in the fields of art and music. The performance period was from May 2nd to May 25th, and all Donggukians was able to participate. The participation of many students was enhance the festival. It is said that the five outstanding teams will be awarded 300,000 Won worth of awards. In addition, Dongguk University is holding a “wish lantern display event,” in which students attach lanterns with their wishes written on them.
Let us find out what big events outsiders can participate in, not just for students at Dongguk University. From 4:30 P.M. to 6 P.M., May 20th, the “Eoullim Madang” event, a venue for shouts and emotions, was held at Dongguk University’s Grand Stadium. The Eoullim Madang event was a lantern party event. During Eoullim Madang event held at Dongguk University last year, events such as a children or youth dance, a lantern award ceremony, and a ceremony to bathe the baby Buddha were held. The last one ended with the beginning of the lantern procession. The lantern procession is National Intangible Cultural Property No. 122 and is an important activity that is called the flower of the lantern festival. The “Lantern Parade” runs from Heunginjimun Gate to Jongno, and from Jongno to Jogyesa Temple. Last year, the lantern procession resumed the lantern festival, which was reduced due to COVID-19, and “the daily life in which hope blooms again” was selected as the theme of the lantern festival. In addition, citizens, students, and foreigners can participate in the parade. In 2023, with COVID-19 relatively under control, many people were paying attention to how large and grand a procession would occur.
Students attending Dongguk University can participate in various activities held at Dongguk University on of Buddha’s Birthday. Students who participated in the activities not only had fun but also gained a better understanding of Buddhism. For example, Kim Eun-sung (Department of Business Administration 22), a student who participated in the wish list, said, “I wrote my wish on the lantern to wish for my family’s health. I am proud of participating in meaningful activities to commemorate the birth of Buddha while having fun participating in the new activities that I thought were difficult.” As such, various activities held at Dongguk University allow anyone, regardless of religion or nationality, to participate in and commemorate the Buddha’s Birthday.
Buddha’s Birthday is a day to commemorate the birth of Sakyamuni, and is especially meaningful for Dongguk University, a Buddhist university. Dongguk University has many opportunities to participate in and see various activities during Buddha’s Birthday. Why do not Donggukians participate in the event themselves and take time to think about the meaning of Buddha’s Birthday? Students who are not Buddhist or who do not know much about Buddhism will also be able to experience learning Buddhism in a fun way. Therefore, the Dongguk Post hopes that Donggukians participated in and enjoyed the splendid and magnificent festival that can only be experienced at Dongguk University in 2023