Yeongsanjae is a sacrificial rite held on the 49th day after a person’s death, and is based on the belief that the spirit of the dead will be reborn in paradise through Buddhism. It has symbolic significance as a representation of Buddha's Sermon on Vulture Peak. It is not clear when this rite started, but it was performed in the early Joseon Period (1392-1910), according to the Joseon bulgyo tongsa (History of Buddhism in Joseon) written by Yi Neung-hwa.
The rite starts with the hanging of Yeongsan hoesangdo (Painting of the Vulture Peak Assembly) at the site of ritual. Monks of the temple where the rite is held take the spirit to the temple in a parade. Dances like Barachum (Cymbal Dance), Nabichum (Butterfly Dance), and Beopgochum (Buddhist Drum Dance) are performed to the music of the haegeum (two-stringed fiddle), buk (drum), janggo (hourglass-shaped drum), geomungo (six-stringed zither) and the like, to extol the virtues of Buddha. After the arrival of the spirit, a sacrificial rite is held and people pray for the peace of the spirit. Finally, a rite is held to let the spirit return to its original place. All the participants form a line and go around the altar, reciting the Buddhist scripture.
As a magnificent Buddhist rite attended by ordinary people, Yeongsanjae teaches people that both the living and the dead may escape from agony and suffering by accepting the noble truths taught by Buddha.