Buddha’s Birthday in South Korea (부처님 오신 날)–History, Tradition & Festival

50,000 lotus lanterns in Samgwangsa, Busan during Buddha's birthday

Buddha’s Birthday is one of the most important religious and cultural celebrations in South Korea. Known in Korean as Seokga Tansinil (석가탄신일) or Bucheonim Osin Nal (부처님 오신 날), it commemorates the birth of Siddhartha Gautama – the historical Buddha. In 2025, this sacred day falls on Monday, May 5, which is observed as a national public holiday.

Whether you're living in Korea or visiting during spring, here’s everything you need to know about Buddha’s Birthday in South Korea – its history, rituals, and the spectacular Lotus Lantern Festival.

🧘‍♂️ 1. Buddhism – The Largest Religion in Korea

Lotus Lanterns hanging on roads in Korea during Buddha's birthday 

Buddhism was introduced to the Korean Peninsula in the 4th century, primarily via China. While influenced by Mahayana Buddhism — which emphasizes compassion and the salvation of all beings — Korean Buddhism also absorbed elements of traditional Korean folklore and Confucian customs.

Despite being a foreign religion at first, it deeply intertwined with Korean identity and spread across all major dynasties, from the Three Kingdoms period to the Goryeo Dynasty.

Although Confucianism became the country ideology during the Joseon Dynasty, Buddhism remained rooted in Korean society. Today, Buddhism continues to thrive, with over 10 million followers, making it the largest religion in South Korea, accounting for more than 40% of the religious population.

📅 2. A National Public Holiday Since 1975

Decoration of Jogyesa temple in Buddha’s Birthday

Lotus lanterns hanging in a temple during Buddha's birthday

Buddha’s Birthday was officially declared a national holiday in 1975. Over the past 1,600 years, Buddhism has played a significant role in shaping Korean culture, philosophy, and daily life.

South Korea is currently home to more than 20,000 Buddhist temples scattered throughout the country. Many of these temples open their doors to the public during this sacred day, offering ceremonies, rituals, and sometimes free temple meals and tea to visitors.

🏮 3. The Lotus Lantern Festival – A Spiritual Celebration of Light

Lotus Lantern Festival on street in Seoul, Korea

Lotus Lantern Festival on street in Seoul

One of the most iconic sights during Buddha’s Birthday is the Yeondeunghoe (연등회), also known as the Lotus Lantern Festival. Streets, temples, and parks across Korea are adorned with thousands of colorful lanterns, especially lotus-shaped ones, symbolizing purity, hope, and enlightenment.

This centuries-old tradition, first modernized in 1955 and led by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, has grown into a large-scale cultural celebration. Since 2020, the festival has been inscribed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage and recognized as Korea's Intangible Cultural Property since 2012.

The name "Yeondeung" (연등 / 燃燈) means "lighting the lantern of wisdom", while “Yeon” (연 / 蓮) refers to the lotus flower, sacred in Buddhism.

The festival’s roots are tied to a folk tale called Binjaildeung (빈자일등), or “The Lantern of the Poor.” It tells the story of a poor girl who offered her only lantern to the Buddha. While thousands of other lanterns extinguished, hers continued to shine — a powerful message that sincerity and intention outweigh wealth or status in Buddhism.

🛕 4. Buddhist Rituals and Temple Activities

Buddha's Birthday Celebration Ceremony

Buddha Bathing Ritual in Korea

Buddha Bathing Ritual in Korea

On Buddha’s Birthday, Korean temples host a variety of spiritual ceremonies:

• Cleaning temple grounds and preparing for sacred events
• Offering six traditional items on the altar: incense, candles, flowers, and fruits
• Beating drums and bells, symbolizing awakening from ignorance
• Bathing the baby Buddha statue, a ritual known as Buddha Bathing Ritual (관욕식), symbolizing spiritual purification

Many temples also offer free meals and traditional tea to all visitors, reflecting Buddhist values of generosity and hospitality.

🌸 Experience Korean Buddhist Culture in May 2025

If you're in Korea this spring, don’t miss the opportunity to witness Buddha’s Birthday traditions firsthand. The most famous Lotus Lantern Parade typically takes place in Seoul’s Jongno district, while large temples like Jogyesa (조계사) in Seoul (서울), Bulguksa (불국사) in Gyeongju (경주), Haeinsa  (해인사) in Hapcheon (합천), Samgwangsa (삼광사) in Busan (부산) hold impressive celebrations.

It’s a time of peace, unity, and spiritual reflection — whether you’re Buddhist or simply curious about Korean culture.

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