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Video: Seounam Hermitage – 서운암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Alongside Samyeongam Hermitage, Jajangam Hermitage, and Geukrakam Hermitage, Seounam Hermitage is another one of the beautiful hermitages that takes up residence on the Tongdosa Temple grounds. But unlike the three other hermitages, Seounam Hermitage has extensive grounds that a visitor can explore. During these explorations, you can come around a Koi pond, large clay soy pots, and even a fenced off enclosure for a collection of peacocks. The hermitage was first built in 1346. And inside the Janggyeong-gak, in the upper courtyard, you can find a collection of the Tripitaka Koreana that you can find at Haeinsa Temple. So follow me as we walk our way through…
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Video: Seokguram Hermitage – 석굴암 (Gyeongju)
Hello Again Everyone!! Alongside Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Hermitage is the most internationally recognizable Buddhist site in Korea. And with Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Hermitage was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seokguram Hermitage was first built in 774 A.D. And the name of the temple means “Stone Cave Hermitage,” in English. The statue inside the grotto at Seokguram Hermitage is the most beautiful image of the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul, in all of Korea and perhaps Asia. The statue is spell-binding just as soon as you step inside the stone grotto. So follow me, as we explore together, this amazing feat in both artistic and religious excellence in Gyeongju!
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Video: Bulguksa Temple – 불국사 (Gyeongju)
Hello Again Everyone!! Bulguksa Temple in the ancient capital of Korea is located in the beautiful city of Gyeongju. It’s also probably Korea’s most internationally recognizable temple. First constructed 528 A.D., the name of the temple means “Buddha Land Temple,” in English. And in 1995, alongside the famous Seokguram Hermitage on Mt. Tohamsan, Bulguksa Temple was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There’s a lot to see and enjoy at Bulguksa Temple like the 6 National Treasures. So take your time and enjoy all that this amazing temple has to offer. So follow me as I travel through Korea’s most famous temple in the outdoor museum of the city of…
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Video: Beomeosa Temple – 범어사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hello Again Everyone!! Perhaps the most famous temple in Busan, Beomeosa Temple dates back to 678 A.D., when it was built by the famed monk and temple builder, Uisang-daesa (625-702). The temple is filled with about a dozen shrine halss that can be explored by visitors. The temple is filled with beautiful Buddhist artwork. Of note, look for the Iljumun Gate, the main hall, and the three-in-one shrine hall dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), The Palsang-jeon (which houses 8 murals depicting the Buddha’s life), and the Nahan-jeon (The hall dedicated to the historical disciples of the Buddha). It’s a one-off in Korea. So follow me around Beomeosa Temple as…
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Video: Cheonbulsa Temple – 천불사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Cheonbulsa Temple, which is located in eastern Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, means “Heaven Buddha Temple,” in English. The temple was first built in 1974. Cheonbulsa Temple is home to one of the most amazing Gwaneum-jeon’s (The Bodhisattva of Compassion Hall) in all of Korea. As you walk up to the subterranean entrance that leads into the mountainside, you’ll pass by 33 statues of the 33 various incarnations of Gwanseeum-bosal. In addition to this shrine hall, there are numerous other shrine halls to be enjoyed at Cheonbulsa Temple like the Yongwang-dang, the main hall, the Yaksa-jeon, and the Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall. While a bit out of the way, Cheonbulsa…
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Video: Samyeongam Hermitage – 사명암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Another beautiful hermitage that’s located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds is the amazing Samyeongam Hermitage. A personal favourite of mine, Samyeongam Hermitage was named after the warrior monk, Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610). The hermitage was first constructed in 1573. With a beautiful, large Koi pond that’s spanned by a granite bridge, Samyeongam Hermitage is occupied with a large main hall, a Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall, and a Josa-jeon (Founders’ Hall) with a mural of Samyeong-daesa inside. The hermitage is especially beautiful during the spring months, when it seems like the entire grounds are in bloom. So follow me around a personal favourite of mine, as I tour around Samyeongam…
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Video: Geukrakam Hermitage – 극락암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Geukrakam Hermitage, which is a reference to the heaven that Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) rules over, is one of the beautiful temples located of the vast Tongdosa Temple grounds. First built in 1344, Geukrakam Hermitage means “Ultimate Bliss Hermitage,” in English. In addition to the unique Chilseong-gak with seven individual paintings of the shaman Seven Stars deity, the hermitage also has a picturesque Hong Bridge that spans a Koi pond and is most beautiful during the spring months when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. So follow me in this video as I tour around the amazingly beautiful Geukrakam Hermitage in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do.
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Video: Hongbeopsa Temple – 홍법사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hello Again Everyone!! Hongbeopsa Temple is located in the northern part of Busan in Geumjeong-gu. The name of the temple, Hongbeopsa Temple, means “Spreading the Word of Buddhism Temple,” in English. The modern temple was first built in 2003 through the large donation of Domyeonghwa-bosal (a female lay devotee). The temple has a massive golden statue of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) on top of the main hall. And inside this statue of Amita-bul resides a sari (crystallized) remain of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). In addition to the main hall and the sari, the temple grounds are well-kept with ponds, trees, and a Dokseong/Sanshin-gak shaman shrine hall. Enjoy…
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Video: Sowonsa Temple – 소원사 (Gijang, Busan)
Hello Again Everyone!! Sowonsa Temple, which is located in eastern part of Busan in Gijang. The temple was first built in 1950. The temple was purportedly built on the grounds where the famed monk, Wonhyo-daesa (617-686), once prayed. Sowonsa Temple means “Wish Temple,” in English. It’s definitely one of the more eccentric temples you’ll visit in Korea with a cluster of shrine halls, Koi ponds, and a large artificial pond to the rear of the grounds with a golden Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) overlooking the water. So enjoy the video and enjoy this rather peculiar temple in the second largest city of Korea: Busan. Enjoy!
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Video: Jajangam Hermitage – 자장암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Jajangam Hermitage is one of the beautiful hermitages located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds. The temple is named after the famed monk, Jajang-yulsa (590-658), was the location from which Jajang-yulsa built Tongdosa Temple. Now comprising of three buildings (the main hall, Chilseong-gak, and Samseong-gak), as well as a beautiful view of the valley and Mt. Yeongchuksan off in the distance, Jajangam Hermitage makes for a nice little escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So sit back and enjoy the view and the harmonious atmosphere that Jajangam Hermitage offers a visitor to its beautiful grounds.