Buddhas Birthday – Wake Up and Laugh!

Here are some photos of the Buddha’s Birthday celebrations in Seoul on Sunday. It’s always amazing to see, and Korea feels like a crossroads of Buddhism. In addition to all of the Korean-flavored events, there were booths or floats from every Buddhist country, offering culture and information, food and art. These are a few pictures from the day, with some nice ones contributed by Joseph, of Somewhere in Dhamma. Go ahead and click on the photos to see a larger image.

DSCN0367 — the street in front of Jogye Temple

DSCN0379 — Must be a convention somewhere!

DSCN0370 — playing a scaled-down version of a temple drum

868613058_lotus latern festival (50)-1 — Friendly folks! (by Joseph)

DSCN0410 — I really loved the horn section! (A great offering by the Tibetan monks of Korea)

868643322_lotus latern festival (75)-1 — Enthusiastic Nepalis! (by Joseph)

DSCN0478 — Make your own mini Lotus Lantern

DSCN0390 — or you could make your own incense (It was really good!)

868709020_lotus latern festival (130)-1 — sign me up!

DSCN0441 — Traditional Korean dance and music

868724257_lotus latern festival (144)-1 — A river of lanterns (by Joseph)

868980752_lotus latern festival (425)-1 — Watch out for the Dragon! (by Joseph)

869109225_lotus latern festival (597)-1 — Under the lanterns at Jogye Temple (by Joseph)

Just for fun, here’s a few photos from past years’ Lotus Lantern parade, which will be held in Seoul this Sunday (May 16). Following it, are some photos from Dharma Halls on Korean army bases.