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| Buddhism Korea |
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| From the time of its landing in the Korean Peninsula 1,600 years ago,
Buddhism had been a key influence in religion, culture and the arts. The great
majority of temples are located in scenic mountains among giant trees and clean
streams. Just walking up the approach can often serve as a refreshing experience
to help purify both soul and the body. Here we present six temples worth
visiting and which hold the most splendid Buddhist ceremonies. |
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| Korean Temples |
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• Waujeongsa Temple
Waujeongsa Temple in Yongin,
Gyeonggi-do, was established in 1970 by High Priest Haedeok to pursue the
benevolence of Buddha for the nation's reunification. As the head temple of the
Korean Yeolban Order, it houses more than 3,000 sculptures collected from
various Buddhist nations. One of the most famous figures is the Buddha head that
stands 8 meters tall at the gate of the temple. It has gained entry in the
Guinness Book Records as the world's largest wooden Buddhist sculpture. It was
designed to later be a part of a 100-meter statue.
Information :
Tel. (031)339-0101~0103(Kor)
Operating Hours : 04:00 -
17:00
Transportation : Take a Yongin-bound bus at Dong Seoul Bus
Terminal (a 1-hour and 10-minute ride). At Yongin, take a bus for Unhak-ri and
get off at Byeolmi, Haegok-ri (a 20-minute ride)
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• Tongdosa Temple
It is said that High Priest Jajang
of the Silla kingdom brought Buddha's robes and sarira (remains from cremation)
as well as 400 cases of tripitaka (Buddhist holy scriptures) from the Tang
Dynasty of China and established this temple in 646. Even back then Tongdosa was
considered extremely important for it enshrined Korea's first copy of the
tripitaka. Instead of a Buddhist sculpture the main hall of this more than
1300-year-old temple holds a magnificent altar, Geumgang-gyedan, containing the
holy sarira of Buddha.
Transportation : Take a Busan-bound bus at
Seoul Express Bus Terminal (takes 5 hours and 20 minutes.). At Busan Express Bus
Terminal, take a Tongdosa-bound bus (takes 40 minutes). |
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• Haeinsa Temple
Haeinsa Temple has enshrined the
Tripitaka Koreana, a vast collection of Buddhist scriptures engraved in wooden
blocks, since the reign of King Munjeong (1046-1083) of the Goryeo Dynasty. The
world-famous Tripitaka Koreana, a 13th century edition of scriptures known to be
one of the world's most comprehensive and oldest intact versions of the Buddhist
canon, has been designated as National Treasure No. 32. It was commissioned to
spiritual help in overcoming the national crisis of Mongolian Invasions. To
print the Tripitaka Koreana, 81,258 engraved wooden blocks were
used.
Transportation : Take a Hapcheon-bound bus at Nambu Bus
Terminal (takes 4 hours and 20 minutes). At Hapcheon, take a Haeinsa-bound bus
(a one hour ride). |
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• Songgwangsa Temple
Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon,
Jeollanam-do, is one of the three major temples representing the "three jewels
of Buddhism": the Buddha, the dharma (teachings of Buddha) and the sangha
(community of Buddhist clergy). Among them, Songgwangsa Temple stands for the
sangha because it is home to an assembly of monks devoted to studying and
preserving the teachings of Buddha. Famous for its wooden structures,
Songgawngsa Temple houses 80 halls and a Zen meditation center for foreign monks
as well as numerous cultural properties including three national
treasures.
Transportation : Take a Suncheon-bound bus at Seoul
Express Bus Terminal (takes 5 hours and 20 minutes). At Suncheon Intercity Bus
Terminal, take a Songgwangsa-bound bus (takes one hour and 20 minutes. |
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• Bulguksa Temple
A Mecca of Buddhist culture during
the Unified Silla Kingdom (676-935), Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, was established in 535 and later rebuilt under the supervision
of Kim Dae-seong, a high ranking official during the reign of King Gyeongdeok.
Bulguksa Temple is full of national treasures, including the Lotus Bridges and
the Bridge of Seven Treasures, Dabotap (or Pagoda of Abundant Treasures) and
Seokgatap (or Pagoda of Shakyamuni).
Transportation : Take a
Gyeongju-bound bus at Dong Seoul Terminal (takes 4 hours and 15 minutes). At
Gyeongju Bus Terminal, take a bus No. 10 or 14. |
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• Bongjeongsa Temple
Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong,
Gyeongsangbuk-do, was established by High Priest Neungin in 672 during the Silla
era. The oldest wooden structure existing in Korea, Geungnakjeon Hall (or
Paradise Hall) manifests a distinctly Korean architectural approach, while other
temple buildings are closer in style to Chinese temples. When Queen Elizabeth II
of the U.K. visited Bongjeongsa Temple in April, 1999, she admired its beauty
and culture, saying, "This will be a memorable visit." She also wrote in the
temple guest book, "As I visit the Bongjeong Temple in the peaceful mountains, I
feel the beauty of a Korean spring day."
Transportation : Take an
Andong-bound bus at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (takes 4 hours). Walk about 100
meters to Andong Elementary School and take a Bongjeongsa-bound bus No. 51. |
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| BUDDHIST CEREMONIES |
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• Yongsanjae in Bongwonsa Temple
This rite includes prayers
for the deceased to guide them into the Pure Land of Bliss. The earth-pounding
Beopgochum (Buddhist Law-Drum Dance), the Barachum (Cymbal Dance) and the
graceful Nabichum (Butterfly Dance) are among highlights of the rite. All
rituals are performed by ceremonial monks, except for the last, the ritual of
Hoehyang, in which all participants celebrate together in a mass for the repose
of departed souls.
Information : 02-392-3007~8
Admission
: Free on this day
Transportation : 5 minutes by taxi from Ewha
Woman's Univ. Station on Subway Line 2 |
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• Practicing Zen Meditation at Hwagyesa Temple
Sitting
cross-legged, the Zen practitioner meditates upon a single thought. This ascetic
practice is said to be the way to a perfect state of self-effacement and thus to
supreme enlightenment.
Contents : Theory of Zen Buddhism,
meditation, dialogues on Buddhist teachings
Informations :
82-2-900-4326 (Fax : 82-2-903-5770)
Time : 13:00-16:30 every
Sunday
Admission : Free
Transportation : Exit 1 of Mia
Station on Subway Line 4, take bus No. 84 to the terminal
Inquiries :
http://soback.kornet.net/%7Esizc/index.html
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• Lotus Lantern Parade
Shortly before Buddha's Birthday,
throngs of Buddhist monks and devotees
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Copyright ©2006 Asiana Airlines,
Inc. All rights reserved.
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