Walking amid the smell of incense, cradling a dog in your arms. A tiny life wagging its tail, close to the sound of a moktak. It may look like a slightly unfamiliar scene, but it could be the most Buddhist moment of all.
On June 11, 2026, the 2026 Korea Buddhist Culture Expo, which opens at 4 Hall, East Building, Daegu EXCO (EXCO), is set to run as a “Pet-friendly” Buddhist fair that allows admission together with companion animals for the first time this year. It is an unprecedented attempt in the history of Buddhist events in South Korea.
“A Buddhist Fair Everyone Likes” — Now in Its Fifth Year
Hosted by Buddhist Newspaper and BBS Daegu Buddhist Broadcasting, the expo is in its fifth edition this year. It is the largest Buddhist culture event in the Yeongnam region, drawing about 70,000 visitors last year, and it has pursued both the preservation of traditional culture and its modern expansion, backed by the rich temple infrastructure of Daegu and Gyeongbuk.
This year’s theme is “Color Is Immediately ○ ○ Is Immediately Color, Anyone Loves the ○ Play.” It is also a declaration to unpack the philosophy of emptiness (空) through a play-like sensibility, and an invitation for people who have looked at Buddhism from afar to come one step closer.
The event runs for four days, through June 14.
Admission With Companion Animals — And It’s Free
The biggest change at this expo can be summed up in a single line: if you bring your companion animal, you can enter for free.
Buddhism has long spoken about equality of life. Nowhere in the Tripitaka Koreana is there a passage saying “Dogs are not allowed.” The slogan the organizers have put forward this time, “Respect for Life and Practice of Compassion,” therefore reads less like a slogan and more like an act.
That said, for a safe and comfortable viewing environment, companion animals are only allowed to enter while riding in a pet stroller or a carrier. It is an operating principle designed to take care of both pet families and general visitors.
A “Kye Sim Sa” Area, Vegan Dog Treats, and Natural Aroma
Inside the event venue, a dedicated content space for companion animals, Gye Sim Sa (犬心寺), will be set up. Even in the name, which resembles a temple (寺), humor and philosophy coexist.
Brands that drew strong responses at the Seoul International Buddhist Expo are coming together in Daegu as well. Booths will be operated featuring vegan dog-treat brands based on plant-based ingredients, including Gye Sim Sa, as well as booths showcasing products with natural aroma scents. For pets, vegetarian choices and natural materials—perhaps familiar values from daily temple life meet pet lifestyle in a natural way.
After pre-registration began on March 30, it surpassed 10,000 people within a month. Observers are cautiously expecting it could set a new record for the highest number of visitors ever, which was last year’s mark.
AI Humanoid Monk “Gabi,” Where Tradition Meets Technology
The opening ceremony is a bit special. At 2 p.m. on June 11, one of the protagonists cutting the ribbon is not a human. The AI humanoid robot monk “Gabi” will also announce the start of the expo.
It is a moment where the oldest symbol of traditional Buddhist culture stands alongside the newest form of cutting-edge technology. This awkward yet intriguing pairing may be the core message this expo is trying to convey—Buddhism is old, but it is also a story for this era.
From a Fortune Drawing to a Dalmatian Painting, Experiences and Exhibits in One Place
A “Gong” (emptiness, 空) experience popular in Seoul continues as well. Visitors will draw a “Bubak Coin”-inscribed gong and join in a participatory program in which they place their own vow inside it.
At the Hall of Fortune, gongs display hope messages from Jinwoo, head of the general affairs bureau of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and Seonggwang, head monk of Donghwasa Temple. Messages from Samsung Lions and the Daegu FC team, coach Yeom Kyung-yeop, DJ Soda, and rapper Woo Won-jae are also lined up. The equal configuration, with senior monks and stars contained in the same kind of gong, tugs at the heart in a subtle way.
At the traditional Buddhist cultural product exhibition, a variety of items will be on display, from a youngster monk character key ring, smart talk devices, and calligraphy goods to handicrafts and Buddhist practice supplies. In the Buddhist art exhibition, traditional Buddhist works such as Dalma paintings and mother-of-pearl inlay Buddhist paintings stand shoulder to shoulder with contemporary art pieces.
The Buddhist temple food exhibition is also not to be missed. The Korea Buddhist Cultural Business Foundation will hold demonstrations of temple food, and Dr. Cha Eun-jung, a master of Silla-style cuisine, will give a special lecture. It is a time to feel how Silla’s food culture lives on at today’s table.
Daegu and Gyeongbuk’s Buddhist Assets in One Place
Hwangbo Ran, commissioner of the culture, sports, and tourism bureau for the city of Daegu, said, “By adding a variety of experience-based content to traditional Buddhist culture, it has developed into an open festival that everyone—men, women, and people of all ages—can enjoy,” and added, “We hope you can experience the charm of Buddhist culture where tradition, modernity, and advanced technology come together, and leave with rest and comfort.”
An official with the expo secretariat also said, “We hope it becomes an opportunity for visitors to stay together with their companion animals and naturally feel the spirit of Buddhist compassion in their everyday lives.”
Companion-animal visitors get free-admission benefits, and must use a pet stroller or carrier
The 2026 Korea Buddhist Culture Expo will be held at Daegu EXCO (EXCO) East Building 4 Hall from Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, June 14. The opening ceremony is at 2 p.m. on June 11. Visitors bringing companion animals will receive free-admission benefits, and the principle is to use a pet stroller or carrier.
Detailed information can be confirmed through the official website and the secretariat.