JB Life! Volume 2 (Spring 2016)
This is the second quarterly issue of JB Life, a publication meant to showcase the international residents and traditional elements of Jeonbuk Province in South Korea. The magazine is a project of the Jeollabuk-do Center for International Affairs and publishes in January, April, July, and October.
This is the second quarterly issue of JB Life, a publication meant to showcase the international residents and traditional elements of Jeonbuk Province in South Korea. The magazine is a project of the Jeollabuk-do Center for International Affairs and publishes in January, April, July, and October.
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PHOTO FEATURE<br />
buddha's Birthday<br />
at Geumsansa: a photo story<br />
By ANJEE DISANTO, Jeonbuk <strong>Life</strong> Co-Editor<br />
Buddha’s birthday (commonly known as 부처님 오신 날, or “Day of Buddha’s<br />
Coming,” in Korea), is an excellent time to see some of the country’s most vibrant<br />
festivals and displays. Countless temples commemorate the event each May<br />
(based on the lunar calendar) all over the peninsula, but in North Jeolla, one of the best<br />
spots to enjoy is undoubtedly Geumsansa, a jewel perched atop Moak Mountain in Gimje.<br />
Take a look!<br />
Geumsansa translates to “Golden Mountain<br />
Temple,” which seems somehow fitting at the<br />
times when festivals like Buddha’s Birthday are<br />
on. For Buddha’s special day, grids of rainbow<br />
lanterns criss-cross the open middle grounds of<br />
the substantial temple complex, some made of<br />
thin cloth and some of hanji paper. Each carries<br />
a tag with a wish written for the writer or<br />
the writer’s loved one, and all help contribute<br />
to the “golden” nature of the temple after dusk,<br />
when the candles inside each lantern cast a deep<br />
yellow glow upon the grounds.<br />
32<br />
Surely the transition from the deep pre-dusk<br />
sun to the afterglow of evening is the ideal time<br />
to view lanterns at Geumsansa, but events happen<br />
here all day for Buddha’s birthday. Ceremonies<br />
and prayer sessions abound, for one.<br />
Besides this, foreigners may not know that<br />
most temples like Geumsansa offer free meals<br />
and tea for visitors on Buddha’s day. Sanchae<br />
bibimbap (mixed mountain vegetables and rice)<br />
is the typical fare, served up happily by monks<br />
or devout volunteers.
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