South Korea Buddha Festval

epa02159377 A tourist holds a lotus lantern at the Buddha Era 2554 Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul , South Korea , 16 May 2010 . South Korean Buddhists celebrate Buddha ' s upcoming birthday on 21 May . The lighting of a lotus-shaped lantern in Buddhism traditionally symbolizes a display of religious devotion to performing good deedslighting up the dark parts of the world that are filled with agony . Throughout the GoryeoJoseon Dynasties , this practice has developedbeen preserved in many forms of public performances such as the lotus lantern service ( a national-level Buddhist memorial service ) the lotus lantern parade .  EPA/JEON HEON-KYUN