Today is a public holiday in South Korea to celebrate Buddha’s Birthday. This national holiday is also known as ‘Seokga tansinil’. In Korea, the date of the birthday of Buddha is determined by the Lunisolar calendar. It takes place on the 8th day of the 4th month of the Lunar calendar, which means it usually falls in late April or early May.
Buddha’s birthday has been a public holiday in South Korea since 1975, with the number of followers of Buddhism in South Korea estimated at 10 million.
The holiday is marked by lantern festivals and temples open their doors offering visitors free tea and a meal of rice and vegetables called bibimbab. People also hang lotus lanterns in their homes and streets as well as covering the temples with lanterns during the holy month.
In Seoul, there is an evening parade from Tapgol Park to Jogyesa on the Sunday before the actual holiday. Though it’s a national holiday, shopping sites, restaurants, and entertainment sectors such as movie theaters open as usual on Buddha’s Birthday.
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Today is the birthday, in 1937, of American singer, guitarist Trini Lopez, who scored the 1963 US No.3 & UK No.4 single ‘If I Had A Hammer’. Other hits included ‘Lemon Tree’, ‘I’m Comin’ Home, Cindy’ and ‘Sally Was a Good Old Girl’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kp1z8EzZ5Hs
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