Lighting Ceremony of the Yeondeung Tower Celebrating Buddha's Birthday in Buddhist Era 2570

Muju-gun Unveils 9-Meter Tower
Adorned with 1,100 Lanterns

Muju-gun, North Jeolla Province, held the lighting ceremony for the Yeondeung Tower to celebrate Buddha's Birthday in the Buddhist Era 2570.

The event, which took place on May 12 at the fountain plaza in front of the county office, was organized to wish for the prosperity of Muju-gun and the peace of its residents. Over 300 people attended, including Noh Changhwan, Acting County Governor of Muju-gun; Buddhist monk Jinil of Wontongsa Temple (Head of the Celebration Committee); chief monks of major temples in the county; devotees; and local residents.

Yeondeung Tower in Muju-gun, Photo by Muju-gun

The program proceeded as follows: a lotus flower dance (pre-ceremony performance), the Threefold Refuge Ritual, a reading of the Heart Sutra, the lighting ceremony, and the ritual of circling the tower (Tapdori). When the large Yeondeung Tower was illuminated in sync with the chants of "Buddha, Dharma, Sangha," the attendees responded with exclamations of awe.

This year's Yeondeung Tower stands 9 meters tall with a circumference of 24 meters and is adorned with 1,100 lanterns, creating a magnificent spectacle. The lights are scheduled to remain on until June 12.

Acting County Governor Noh Changhwan remarked, "The lights we have ignited today are more than just a source of brightness—they are a symbol of unity that embraces each other's pain," adding, "I hope they bring hope and comfort to everyone struggling with security concerns caused by war, economic stagnation, and cold weather damage."

Meanwhile, during the Tapdori ritual, participants prayed for the well-being of the community and individuals, as well as for the successful hosting of the 14th Muju Mountain Film Festival (June 4–8) and the 30th Muju Firefly Festival (September 4–12).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.