Lantern Making

Each month there are free Korean culture classes organized by Dalma Busanbuddhism.  I went with Anne and Sara once more to Hongbeospa Temple.

The organization even provides a free shuttle bus from the subway station to the temple.

Lanterns decorated the entire compound for Buddha's birthday, happening  in May.

The theme of "see no evil, speak no evil, and hear no evil" is prevalent throughout the temple.

This month's culture class was lantern making, in celebration of Buddha's upcoming birthday. The class was held inside the main temple hall, which was fully decorated with lanterns and lantern making papers.

The center had examples of some of the lanterns we would be making.

They had stations already set up for us with all the materials needed.  They even brought in a master lantern maker to teach us. She came in dressed in a hanbok and her voice sounded like a flowing river.  It was too legit.

The process of making a lantern:

Start with a wire frame.

Apply glue thoroughly on paper and secure on wire frame

Before applying glue to paper,
you can write your wishes with a marker.

Second lantern, lotus type:

Start with a small paper cup and using glue,
begin to secure the paper petals.

Continue gluing layer after layer until desired shape.

Finish products!

I HELLA LOVE ARTS AND CRAFTS!!!

After the lesson was over, we took a tour of the temple.  We went on the roof where the giant golden Buddha sits.

More lanterns

Each ribbon is a person's prayer or wish.

They are tied all over the roof of the temple.  

From the Buddha's point of view

Lastly, we actually went inside the Buddha.

Here's a picture of our tour guide, a retired high school principle genuinely filled with joy.

Inside the Buddha, the walls are lined with lotus lights.

Each one is someone's prayer.

Another day at this magical temple.  I say magical because both times I have been here, I have felt like I was a 6-year-old filled with wonder again. There are so many beautiful things out there to see and to create. How refreshing to learn something new or try something for the first time!

Directions to Hongbeopsa
From Nopo station, take Exit 1.  It is easiest to take a taxi from there.

There is however, a temple shuttle bus that leaves from Nopo station during the culture class events.  But more information can be found at the website: https://www.facebook.com/busanbuddhism.  You can subscribe to their facebook page to receive information about future events as well.