Government: Lunar April 8 is "Buddha's Birthday"

Request to Refrain from Using 'Seokga Tansinil'

On the 27th, ahead of Buddha's Birthday (May 8) in the Buddhist calendar year 2566, devotees are making lanterns to be used in the lantern parade at Jogyesa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism plans to hold a lantern event at pre-COVID-19 levels, marching from Heunginjimun Gate through Jongno to Jogyesa Temple on the 30th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reiterated on the 28th that the official name of the legal holiday commemorating the birth of Sakyamuni is 'Buddha's Birthday.' It requested that the term 'Buddha's Birthday' be used, noting that some media outlets still use the term 'Seokgatansinil.' In October 2017, the government revised the "Regulations on Public Holidays for Government Offices" by changing the terminology in legal statutes to easier Korean words. At that time, 'Buddha's Birthday' was also the official name used by the Buddhist community. This year's Buddha's Birthday falls on the 8th of next month (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month).