Gate of Truth

Today millions of Korean's (and a few non- Korean's) celebrate Buddha's birth. I am happily situated just a 10 minute bus ride from Bongeunsa, a Buddhist temple that has carved out a spot amidst the many glass tower buildings around Gangnam. The temple site was founded in AD 794 and although the temples have been rebuilt many times, the feeling of peacefulness here is perpetual.

Tonight this temple glows with thousands of lanterns in honor of the Buddha, and people from all around Seoul have come to be a part of the
celebration.

There are several temples and shrines at Bongeunsa, each with a specific color theme. The approach to the main temple was warmly lit with red lanterns.




Each of the lanterns has been purchased by a person or family whose dedication is written on a tag attached to the lantern and hung around the temple grounds. Incense, candles and rice were also available to purchase and then donate to the temple. Some strong similarities to the rituals in India but with such a different feeling. I guess the difference between the singleness of Buddhism and the multitudes of Hinduism. Well, thats simplifying of course.



The center of the temple grounds is marked by this statue of the Buddha. Many gathered to light candles near the base of the statue or offer their reverence in many bows to the ground.















There was a long line of people wrapping around the main temple waiting to go inside and pray. Above the temple a half moon shows itself. Unlike many holidays in America, it is the sun and the moon, not the numerical date that determines the sacredness of the day, as it has for hundreds of years.