This year's commemorative lantern depicting Buddha's Birthday was designed in the shape of the 9-story wooden pagoda at Hwangnyongsa, or Hwangryongsa Temple (Korean: 황룡사).

The committee explained that they modeled the lantern after the 9-story wooden pagoda at Hwangryongsa Temple, which was built during the Silla period under the suggestion of the monk Jajang (慈藏) Yulsa to Queen Seondeok, with the aim of uniting the nation through Buddha's teachings and wishing for peace and happiness to fill the world. The commemorative lantern tower is set to illuminate until May 15th, Buddha's Birthday.

Ven. Jinwoo, the Chairman of the Buddha's Birthday Celebration Committee and Executive Director of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, said during the lighting ceremony, "May the 'Hwangryongsa 9-story wooden pagoda lantern' at Gwanghwamun be a beacon of wisdom and light in this chaotic world, guiding all citizens towards the path of peace and enlightenment, and each as protagonists of their own lives."


About Hwangryongsa

Hwangnyongsa stood as a significant Buddhist temple in Gyeongju, South Korea. Constructed in the 7th century, this monumental 9-story structure was crafted entirely from wood, utilizing an intricate interlocking design devoid of iron nails. Reaching a towering height of 68 m (223 ft) or 80 m (262 ft), it ranked among the tallest edifices in East Asia during its era. Today, only the substantial foundation stones of the temple endure.

During the Silla and Unified Silla periods, Hwangryongsa served as the focal point of state-sponsored Buddhism, symbolizing cultural prominence within the Buddhist sphere. Its name, translating to "Emperor/Imperial Dragon Temple," reflects its esteemed status. Since April 1976, ongoing archaeological excavations and scientific inquiries have sought to unveil the temple's historical significance.