In Korea, despite the country not having a state religion, Buddha’s Birthday is observed as a public holiday. But how did the day attain its designation?

A Buddhist monk pours water on a statue of Buddha during a service to celebrate Buddha's birthday at the Jogye temple in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, May 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) ...

With its eyes closed in eternal prayer, a 1.7-meter-tall statue of a Buddha was unearthed by the Korean Archaeology Institute of the Academy of Social Sciences and the National Authority for the ...

Buddhists wait for the start of a lantern parade as part of festivities celebrating the birthday of Buddha, in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)Photo Gallery ...