Next: about 13 May 2027
Buddha's Birthday in Korea
Lotus lanterns line Seoul and Jogyesa temple, with a lantern parade, Yeondeunghoe, before the day itself.
When is Buddha's Birthday in Korea in 2027?
Buddha's Birthday in Korea 2027 is on Thursday, 13 May 2027. The date follows the moon or a local calendar, so it can move by a day. Other years: 2026, Sunday, 24 May 2026; 2028, Tuesday, 2 May 2028.
About Buddha's Birthday in Korea
In Korea, the Buddha's birthday, Seokga tansinil, falls on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. In the weeks beforehand, streets and temples are hung with lotus-shaped paper lanterns, and Jogyesa temple in Seoul is lit with thousands. A national lantern festival, Yeondeunghoe, held on a weekend before the day, includes a procession of illuminated floats and lanterns shaped like dragons, elephants and lotus buds through Jongno, with monks and laypeople walking with a lantern in hand. Temples serve free bibimbap and tea to visitors. In ceremonies at the temple, people ladle water over a small statue of the infant Buddha, called gwanbul. In Hong Kong the day is marked by the bathing of the Buddha at Tai O and the Cheung Chau Bun Festival, which falls in the same week.
Buddha's Birthday in Korea dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Buddha's Birthday in Korea date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 24 May 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday, 13 May 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 2 May 2028 |
This date follows the moon or a local calendar and can move by a day, so check with a local source nearer the time.
What is eaten
- bibimbap
- temple food
- tea
Traditions of Buddha's Birthday in Korea
Also part of it, and being written: Jogyesa (The temple at the centre of the celebrations.).
More marked on Buddha's Birthday in Korea
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Buddha's Birthday" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.