By Honorary Reporter Ayushi Kharayat from India
Photos = Ayushi Kharayat

The Korean Embassy in New Delhi, India, and the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on March 22 hosted the opening of an interactive exhibition as part of a traditional Korean Buddhist cultural exchange organized by the Indian Ministry of Culture, Yeon Deung Hoe (Lotus Lantern Festival) Preservation Committee and Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism.

The opening of the exhibition "An Encounter with Traditional Korean Buddhist Culture In India: The Land of Buddha" introduced Korean Buddhism's vibrant culture to Indians to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between both countries at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were Korean Ambassador to India Chang Jae-bok, Jogye monks and Ven. Jinwoo, the Buddhist order's president and a world-renowned chef of Korean temple food.

From upper left clockwise are Korean Ambassador to India Chang Jae-bok with monks from the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism at the opening event, me (left) posing for a photo with a Buddhist nun, a verse being chanted by Ven. Dong-wan (center) and a Buddhist monk answering questions from the audience.

The exhibition introduced the charm and essence of Korean Buddhism, which still thrives thanks to its long history, through the display of traditional art installations, photo exhibition and interactive program on traditional Buddhist culture.

The exhibition "Yeon Deung Hoe: Wave of Lanterns Leading to Light" (unofficial translation) is part of a ritual to mark Buddha's birth by lighting lanterns with wishes. It features traditional lanterns made from Hanji (traditional Korean paper), a tunnel of parade lanterns, lanterns of all shapes and mulberry paper dolls jointly prepared by four Korean artists.

 The exhibition "Yeondeunghoe, Wave of Lanterns Leading to Light" features Korea's vivid and beautiful lanterns.

A media arts presentation produced by the National Museum of Korea "Gwaebul: Encountered through Media Art" (unofficial translation) featured three gwaebul (large scroll painting for outdoor rituals) to express Buddhist realms. Photographer Ha Ji-kwon at the event presented a photo exhibition that he curated titled "Korean Buddhism Walks in India" featuring five sections: Templestay, temple food, stone buddhas, life of Buddhist practitioners and cultural properties of Korean Buddhism.

Clockwise from upper left shows photographer Ha Ji-kwon explaining the concept of his exhibition to attendees, a photo exhibition and media arts presentation.

The highlight of the event was a program hosted by the Korean Culture Centre in New Delhi that allowed participants to indirectly experience traditional Korean Buddhist culture by creating paper lotus flower lanterns, making woodblock printing and yeomju (stringed prayer beads), and coloring fans with dancheong (traditional decorative coloring) designs. The exhibition is open through April 30.

My experience

I loved this cultural exchange along with my friends to celebrate the connection between Korea and India. I could vividly sense the history of Korean Buddhism and teachings that spans over 1,700 years and originated from my country India. I deeply immersed myself in the essence of Korean Buddhism, celebrated the magnificent beauty and charm embodied in it, saw monastic life, and felt the precious meaning of cultural value and sincerity contained in Yeon Deung Hoe through Buddhist cultural activities. 

This exhibition was for me a spiritual awakening and riveting experience that filled my soul with tranquility and sincere devotion.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things.