One of the best aspects of being a teacher is most certainly: holidays. Not having school to celebrate miscellaneous historical occurrences is simply a highlight in the educational profession. As with most Asian cultures, Korea seems to have a lot of holidays.. at least in comparison with the United States. Last Thursday we celebrated Children's Day and had no school. Then Monday we had no school for Parent's Day and today, Tuesday, was the big day... Buddha's birthday. The big man turned 2555 today! As a Methodist, I was not very educated on 1) Buddha's birthday or 2) Buddha himself. So, in celebration of Buddha's birthday (and mostly just to feel like I've earned yet another day to sleep in), I decided to do some research and share it with everyone back home who is also unaware.
The History of Buddhism spaned the 6th century BC to the present, starting with the birth of Buddha Siddhartha Gautama in Indian subcontinent in what is now Lumbini, Nepal. Siddhartha Gautama was a spiritual teacher who founded Buddhism. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha of our age, "Buddha" meaning "awakened one" or "the enlightened one." Buddhism is so often associated with the image of a meditating monk, which might lead one to assume that Buddhism emphasizes practices over beliefs. It is true that right practices are important in Buddhism, but the faith really centers on correct understanding of human nature and ultimate reality. After all, Buddha was called the "Enlightened One." After he became enlightened, he taught that the way to eliminate suffering begins with understanding the true nature of the world and being in touch with ones self and the world around. However, the Buddha considered knowledge important only insofar as it remains practical. He rejected speculation about such matters as God, the nature of the universe, and the afterlife, urging his followers to focus instead on the Four Noble Truths by which they can free themselves from suffering.The Four Noble Truths established by Siddhartha Gautama are:
1. Life means suffering.
2. The origin of suffering is attachment.
3. The cessation of suffering is attainable.
4. The path to the cessation of suffering.
In Buddhism, the purpose of life is to end suffering. The Buddha taught that humans suffer because we continually strive after things that do not give lasting happiness. While I always maintain my stance as a Christian, this certainly is a belief I can get behind and embrace.
In South Korea, Buddha's birthday is a gala week-long celebration that ends on the first full moon day of the lunar month Vesakha, which usually falls in May. This full moon day is the most commonly observed date for Buddha's birthday. Throughout Korea, city streets and temples are decorated with lanterns. At Jogyesa Temple in Seoul, which is where I went today, the first day begins with religious ceremonies, followed by a street fair near the temple. In the evening a gala lantern parade stretches for miles through the heart of Seoul.
This has just been the summary of what I've read. However, what I saw was that lanterns are the ultimate domination of decoration and devotion, people will come out in hundreds just to bow once to a giant gold statue and I find that devotion amazing, and last, but not least, Buddha is a big dude. He seemed to be everywhere today, in one form or another. He was visible in the giant statues in the temple, the lanterns hung on streets all over the city, the choked up old women bowing on their knees, the overpriced bracelets sold on street corners, and in the late hour which I awoke this morning. Thanks, Buddha. You are one cool, old dude.
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