본문 바로가기
  • Home

Ceremony of the light and changing patterns as medieval Buddhist ceremony

Choi YeonJu 1

1동의대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Ceremony of the light is ceremony to watch the light. Ceremony of the light is linked to Buddhism Ceremony Yeondeungheo(燃燈會). Yeondeungheo and Palgwanheo(八關會) have held since Goryeo Dynasty, Two celebration’s methods are igniting the lights which is decorated and hanging the lights in the special stage. In celebration, lights and other decorations were luxuriously installed at temple as well as palace. so they provide various attractions. Yeondeungheo and Palgwanheo might have been big festivals for duration of Goryeo and Joseon Dynasty when leisure culture was not developed. During the event, King and the people watched the lights and enjoyed the performance together, so they made bonding. But, Ceremony of the light was linked to Buddhism had changed through the Joseon Dynasty. Joseon Dynasty started to suppress Buddhism and to force Confucianism. These policy brought about New dynasty’s legitimacy. So, Yeondeungheo had been recognized a kind of customs after the middle of Joseon Dynasty when Confucianism established oneself. Yeondeungheo which civilians or buddhist monk held would have been small size in respective locality or temple, not enormous size. Buddha's Birthday which civilians held succeeded SangwonYeondeung(上元燃燈) and Yeondeungheo on Buddha's Birthday(佛誕日 燃燈會) which had continued through Silla, Goryeo and the former of the Joseon Dynasty. Nevertheless, Contents was linked to Buddhism might had created new formation or changed relatively with faith to pray for a blessing. Ceremony of the light was gradually established as villager’s safety and luck rather than religious meaning.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.