[462 Clip] Enjoying Buddhism with Various Events

   The elephant statue, located in the Paljenogdo of Dongguk University, has a special meaning to it. Every year since 2022, the Bongchuk—celebration to the birth of Buddha— sign appears on the lantern above the elephant statue. In 2022, with the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War, the slogan “PEACE” was posted to promote peace in Ukraine, and in 2023, the slogan “Jeon-beob (the Korean term, meaning to deliver the teachings of Buddhism)” was posted to deliver the Buddha’s law.

   For 2024, the Jeongggakwon held the first slogan contest event. The event was held with the intention of listening to various opinions of Donggukians, and presenting the most meaningful slogan. Then, what is the slogan to be posted at Paljeongdo Elephant Lotus Lantern Hall this year? The slogan that was elected in 2024 is “Jeon-beob” just like last year.

   Dongguk University holds a lantern festival every spring. Lanterns are installed in the main square of Dongguk University, Paljeongdo, which attract not only students, but also the general public. Moreover, students are able to write their wishes on paper, and hang them on the lanterns located around the campus. This event is held annually, celebrating Buddha’s birthday. Students can put up lanterns by visiting Paljeongdo between Monday, April 8th and Friday, May 10th. Furthermore, the lantern making festival is held every period is from April 1st to April 30th. Wednesday from 4 P.M. to 5 P.M. at Jeonggakwon. Students can attend the Wednesday lantern-making event during April 17th and April 24th. Lanterns made during the event will be used for the lantern parade to be held on May 11th.

   In addition, a variety of lantern events are prepared this year. The first event is the lantern festival event where Donggukians can get an Ako cookie, the symbol of Dongguk University, if certified. The event period is from April 1st to April 30th, and all students of Dongguk University can participate. Dongkukians can enter Jeonggakwon or Paljeongdo to receive a wish lantern, write your wish on the wish lantern, and hang it on Paljeongdo. After that, you should take a picture of the wish sign and access the Dongguk Metaversity. Click, Find a golden toad in the Metaversity, connect to the group’s link, and upload a picture of the wish sign. Students who upload the picture can visit the Teaching and Learning Innovation Center to receive a limited edition aco cookie. For your information, you must visit between 9 A.M. and 5 P.M. during the event period to receive it.

   The second event is the SNS event. The media support department of Dongguk University’s Teaching and Learning Center is holding this event to commemorate the opening of its social media account. Follow the account (@dongguk_edutech) and upload cookies or lanterns or the fact that you have accessed Metaverse City to the Instagram story. At this time, you must tag the account of the Media Support Department together. This event is also open to anyone attending Dongguk University, and the As such, Dongguk University is holding various Buddhist events to make students able to experience Buddhism in a friendlier way. In addition, events where monks bake breads or hold tea meditation, yoga meditation, and singing bowl meditation sessions are held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in the meditation room (B08) on the first basement floor of the Manhae Hall.

   In conclusion, there are various hands on activities and education programs throughout Dongguk University where students can experience Buddhism in their daily lives. Students who are interested in finding stability in body and mind can participate, even if they do not necessarily believe in Buddhism. The Dongguk Post hopes that many Donggukians will participate in events that are unique to Dongguk University once and experience getting closer to Buddhism.