Buddha's Birthday celebration

 Yesterday was Buddha's birthday and with it being a national holiday I was lucky enough to have the day off work! I decided that I wanted to see how the locals were celebrating this holiday so I went to a nearby Buddhist temple called Bongwonsa Temple. I was amazed at what I found.

There were hundreds of people at this temple and so many festivities going on inside. When I got there there were big banners everywhere and a big display out front to mark the special day.

 I excitedly walked inside and was greeted with a show of beautiful lanterns going up the pathway to one of the shrines.

 There were also many fun statues along the pathway. I wasn't sure if these were there just for the day or if they always were at this temple. This was one of the ones that made me giggle a little as it reminded me of my school kids doing tae kwon do in the hallways!

 When I got up to the main shrine or worship room I was mesmerized by the lanterns that completely covered the ceiling. I learned the importance of lanterns in Korean culture and for the Buddhist community at the Lantern Parade I attended last weekend. They are sacred and looked upon as bringing precious light to a world of darkness. 

I have to say, I like the metaphor, and think they are incredibly beautiful.

 People were praying and lighting candles to give as an offering, and I was totally in awe of the beauty of these lanterns covering every inch of the room. I had never seen anything like it! I walked through this worship room feeling like too much of a tourist with all of my picture taking, and came across another gorgeous hallway that was covered in lanterns behind it.

 I continued on to a shrine room that had white and green lanterns covering the pathway to its entrance. I stood under them for a few minutes, enjoying the sunshine sneaking through them and onto my bare shoulders. It was so peaceful. How can something so simple like lanterns be so breathtakingly beautiful?

  This was the shrine that the white and green lanterns led you to.

 I then walked along the path further and found another array of lanterns. These were all different colors and had nametags on them. I couldn't read what they said of course, but I am assuming that people bought them for a loved one and hung it on these lines as a prayer.

 My amazement with this temple continued to grow as I came across the biggest statue of Buddha at any temple in Seoul. I had read about its enormous size before going to the temple but was blown away by its enormity when I saw it in person.

 People were praying in front of it throughout the day.

 I found another part of the temple that was covered with tents with different activities you could participate in!

I proceeded to tap into my artistic side by painting a fan. I totally copied a little girl who I saw making the prettiest fan with trees and flowers on it! I have to say I was proud of how mine came out!

 I then partook in making my very own lotus flower. It was a simple gluing arts and crafts activity, but I was thrilled to make one! The lotus flower has a lot of cultural significance for this holiday so it seemed only appropriate to have one of my own to mark the occasion. This also turned out pretty nice and is a great souvenir for me to keep to remind me of all the fun I had on Buddha's birthday.

 The day was full of cultural fun at Bongwonsa Temple celebrating Buddha's birthday! I saw so many beautiful things that I had never seen before in all my travels, and the beauty of that Temple full of lanterns will never leave my mind. 

Those lanterns didn't just bring light into the temple, into Seoul, and into Korea. They gave me a new appreciation for my own city and the culture I'm immersed in, therefore bringing light into my heart.