Cheonggyecheon history and culture entry
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Lotus Lantern Festival
Lotus Lantern Festival in cheonggyecheon in Lotus Lantern Festival that descended from the ancient times "Brighten the dark world of ignorance and agony wi
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Description
Lotus Lantern Festival that descended from the ancient times "Brighten the dark world of ignorance and agony with the wisdom of Buddha." During the Lotus Lantern Festival on Buddha's Birthday, people pray to Buddha for fortune, marching on the streets where various styles of lotus lanterns are hung. This is Korea’s traditional custom. During the period of Silla Dynasty, on Daeboreum and Buddha’s Birthday, the king and the people enjoyed this festival together in the Hwangnyongsa Temple. Taejo Wang Geon, who established the Goryeo Dynasty, warned in the <Hunyosipjo> that he passed on to the next king, "Do not neglect the Lotus Lantern Festival." The Lotus Lantern Festival was a big carnival led by the nation. At the beginning of the annual festival, the king payed his respects at the Bongeunsa Temple, where the bronze statue of Taejo was held. It is said that not only the temple but also the government offices, markets and private houses all enjoyed the festival by hanging lotus lanterns. Joseon’s suppression of Buddhism and reverence of confucianism During the period of Joseon, the country that was based on the confucianism, the Lotus Lantern Festival that was held by the royal family declined and it was even forbidden except for ones that were held at the temples. This was because the confucian scholars fiercely resisted. However, royal families and private houses hanging lotus lanterns and praying to Buddha for fortune could not be completely stopped. Rather, Lotus Lantern Festivals were widely held in private houses. King Yeongjo’s regret On April of 1766, King Yeongjo, the 21st king of Joseon Dynasty, allowed the hanging of lotus lanterns, following the precedent. From this moment, on the Buddha’s Birthday, private houses hung lotus lanterns according to the number of their children, and the merchants of Sijeon Market located in Unjongga hung large lanterns high up in the sky. People climbed Namsan Mountain and Bugaksan Mountain located at the north of Gyeongbokgung Palace and watched the lotus lanterns filling the Cheonggyecheon Stream and Unjongga Market, being charmed by the beautiful lights. On the night of April 8th, 1773, when King Yeongjo was receiving a medical treatment by a doctor, he lamented, "Tonight is full of lotus lanterns. The people are participating in the festival with their families, but I am alone. What kind of fate is this?" This was when Kinh Yeongjo was 80 years old, 11 years later from when he killed Prince Sado, his son.
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Source
Korea Tourism Organization and Visit Seoul.