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Robot Monks and 100,000 Lanterns: Inside Seoul’s Massive Light Festival

Daniel Kim Views  

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[Anchor] Seoul staged the Yeondeunghoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) — a national intangible cultural asset and a UNESCO‑listed Intangible Cultural Heritage — in the city center ahead of Buddha’s Birthday in the Buddhist year 2570. This year’s lantern parade featured robot monks that drew onlookers’ attention. Ittakkeum reporting. [Reporter] Four robot monks in monastic robes led the lantern procession. They clasped their hands and marched briskly, prompting audible surprise from the crowd. The sound of daechwita, a traditional Korean military band, filled the air as colorful lanterns shaped like the Four Heavenly Kings, elephants and lions captured attention. Held ahead of Buddha’s Birthday in the Buddhist year 2570, the Yeondeunghoe began at Heunginjimun Gate and proceeded to Jogyesa Temple, where some 50,000 Buddhists and citizens illuminated 100,000 lanterns. 「Oh Yu-bin · Kang Se-hee / Dobong and Gangbuk Districts, Seoul」 Passersby waved at them, and it was fun watching the robots smile and wave back at everyone. It felt like a trendy kind of religion — I think I’ll come more often. A lantern modeled after North Korean munheon-style lanterns also appeared, adding a message of peace on the Korean Peninsula and a call for inter‑Korean reconciliation. This year’s theme was “Peace in the Heart, Harmony in the World.” Organizers said the theme reflects an intention to comfort modern people’s weary hearts with the Buddha’s teachings amid international conflict and social strife. Foreign visitors to the festival also joined in prayers for peace. 「Nuttapak · Mina · Supawadee / Thailand」 Peace, reunification, togetherness — we pray that the whole world will not go to war. That’s what we’re praying for. Over the weekend, Buddhist cultural activities and lantern events continued along the road in front of Jogyesa and throughout Insadong, and an EDM concert will cap the festival’s final night. Ittakkeum, Yonhap News TV. [Video reporting: Kwon Hyuk-jun, Moon Ju-hyung, Kim Tae-hyun] [Video editing: Kim Geon-young] For inquiries and tips: KakaoTalk/LINE jebo23. Ittakkeum (ouch@yna.co.kr)

Daniel Kim
content@tenbizt.com

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