On May 16, ahead of Buddha’s Birthday on May 24 in the 2570th year of the Buddhist Era, the Yeondeunghoe Festival, a National Intangible Cultural Heritage and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was held in Seoul’s Jongro district. The event concluded successfully, setting a record of 500,000 attendees. On the evening of May 16, 100,000 lanterns magnificently illuminated the Jongro area, and the parade route stretching from Dongdaemun Gate to Jogyesa Temple was packed with spectators. Due to the large number of people present, crowd control measures were implemented in some areas, such as Tapgol Park. 

The Yoendeunghoe Safeguarding Association announced on May 16 that approximately 500,000 people had participated in or watched the lantern procession, a significant increase from last year. This record-breaking turnout has been attributed to the recent “hip Buddhism” trend, centered on the 20-30 age group, combined with the growing popularity of K-culture.

One of this year’s most popular attractions was the humanoid robot monks, who took part in the lantern parade for the first time. Four of the robot monks, including Gabi, who donned a monastic robe and took the Five Precepts at the “Buddha’s Birthday Commemorative Robot Ordination Ceremony,” as well as Seokja, Mohee, and Nisa, led the parade at the front. Ven. Hyean, the first semi-humanoid robot in Korean Buddhism developed by Dongguk University’s AI and Safety Robot Innovation Research Center, also drew attention as it marched alongside Dongguk University students with its hands pressed together in prayer. Spectators responded enthusiastically to the robot monks.

Foreign participation was also notably prominent. Viewing stands stretching from Dongdaemun Gate to Jogyesa Temple were packed with foreign visitors. Additionally, customers of cafés located in buildings along the procession route showed their support by standing at the windows and waving to the crowd. People of all nationalities and races thoroughly enjoyed the Lantern Festival. Some of them even joined the closing ceremony.

“True happiness begins with inner peace and is fulfilled through the world in harmony. When our minds are at peace, everyone we meet becomes a good karmic connection. Therefore, we must reach out first to our marginalized and suffering neighbors with empathy, warm regard, and kindness,” said Most Ven. Jinwoo, president of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (concurrently serving as Chairman of the Yeondeunghoe Safeguarding Association and the Buddha’s Birthday Celebration Committee), in his opening remarks at the Dharma assembly preceding the Lantern Festival, held earlier at Dongguk University. “Just as one person’s compassion can save ten people, and one person’s generosity can illuminate the whole world, our small actions will come together to open a new era of peace and hope.”