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amyplotch

Buddha Just Had A Birthday. Who’s Next?

We just celebrated a big birthday. Not mine or Phil’s, but Buddha’s.


Buddha’s birthday is a national holiday. Schools and offices are closed. Streets are lined with colorful lanterns leading to the temples. People flock to the temples to pray, light incense, pour scented water over a statue of Buddha and bang an ancient drum. They also attach wishes to the thousands of paper lanterns strung overhead. This may be like writing a prayer to stick in the Western Wall in Jerusalem, but that is only a guess on my part.


This year, the main event, an enormous lotus lantern parade, was cancelled due to covid. So, when Phil and I headed over the Jogyesa temple in Seoul, we anticipated a low-key experience. Instead, we were greeted by thousands of people of all ages. (with lots of covid protections in place) This short video gives you a little bit of atmosphere. Listen to the ambient sounds to hear some of the music, chanting and drumming.


Whose birthday is next? Mine! I’m turning 60, and if I were in NJ, I would have a big party to share the moment with all of you. Since I’m in Seoul, I invite you all to zoom with me sometime in the next month. Staying in touch is the best gift you can give. (Cake and champagne optional!)



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3 Comments


dbhufford
dbhufford
Jul 10, 2021

Happy Birthday Amy! Welcome to the 60's club! (It's amazing that you went to college with Wendy. She swears that she is not nearly your age yet.)

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joy.reidenberg
joy.reidenberg
Jun 04, 2021

Happy Birthday! Bruce also has a birthday on June 6, and Aunt June had one yesterday. Apparently, June is a popular birth month!

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dgutwetter
dgutwetter
Jun 02, 2021

Glad to see you are continuing this wonderful travelogue for places few ( if any) of your contemporaries have been.

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