Lantern in central Seoul marks Buddha’s birthday, Jogye order asks for refrains on dancing and singing with due respect for ferry tragedy

By Jeon Han, Yoon Sojung, Korea.net, APr 16, 2014

<< Monks recite the Heart Sutra prior to the lantern-lighting ceremony on April 16. (photo: Jeon Han)

Under the theme of, “Share, be together and you will be happy” (unofficial translation), the event was held to mark the lighting of the lantern. It was followed by a prayer recited by Venerable Jaseung, head of the Jogye Order of Korea, and an encircling march around the lantern by monks and the faithful.

The lantern resembles the stone pagoda of Mireuksa Temple in Iksan, the capital of the ancient Baekje kingdom (18 B.C.-A.D. 660), one of the Korean Peninsula’s three ancient realms. It was made with 500 sheets of 2 meter-long and 77 centimeter-wide hanji, or traditional handmade mulberry paper. It is nearly 70 percent of the real one’s size.

Meanwhile, as hope fades for 256 still missing four days after the ferry Sewol capsized and sank, what may be South Korea’s worst maritime tragedy in four decades - the Jogye Order has requested temples and members to refrain from singing or dancing during ceremonies held prior to Buddha’s Birthday on May 6, according to a statement posted on the order’s website.

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