Revitalization Strategies for Solar Calendar-Based Regular Buddhist Services

This study examines the limitations of the traditional lunar calendar- based propagation methods in contemporary society and explores strategies for promoting regular Dharma assemblies centered on the solar calendar. For centuries, Korean Buddhism has preserved the lunar calendar tradition, holding major celebrations such as Buddha’s Birthday, the anniversaries of the Buddha’s renunciation, enlightenment, and nirvana, as well as regular Dharma assemblies dedicated to Avalokiteśvara, Kṣitigarbha, Amitābha, and Bhaiṣajyaguru. Other ceremonies following seasonal or calendrical cycles—such as those on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, the Ullambana Festival, Chilseok, and the Winter Solstice—have likewise been maintained. However, this long-standing lunar-based Dharma culture, sustained for over 1,600 years, now faces clear limitations in effectively spreading the Dharma in modern society. The primary reason lies in the fact that Korean society follows the solar calendar as its standard. For contemporary Buddhists, lunar-based Dharma events are difficult to track, and those employed in secular workplaces are often deprived of opportunities to attend. Moreover, urban youth—even if interested in Buddhism—find participation in lunar calendar assemblies inconvenient and impractical. Thus, for effective propagation, a solar calendar–based Dharma assembly system has become an indispensable condition. The proposed strategies for revitalizing solar-based regular Dharma assemblies are divided into weekend and weekday gatherings. Weekend assemblies are envisioned to focus on family-oriented and meditation- centered practices, while weekday assemblies would emphasize group practice integrating the “Five Powers” of Early Buddhism or the “Seven Pāramitās” in Mahāyāna Buddhism. By complementing these solar- based, lifestyle-oriented assemblies with traditional lunar-based observances tied to specific festivals and memorial days, a balanced “Middle Way” approach can be established. Furthermore, proactive propagation and marketing strategies—both offline and online—are essential for sustaining Dharma activities. In particular, the rise of non-face-to-face communication environments transcending time, place, distance, and social class presents a crucial challenge and opportunity for contemporary Buddhist digital propagation.