• Gyeongsangnam-do,  Video

    Video: Sinheungsa Temple – 신흥사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Sinheungsa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do has one of the more mysterious origins. Purportedly, the temple was built in 301 A.D. and later destroyed. However, according to Korean tradition, Buddhism didn’t enter the Korean peninsula until 372 A.D. in the northern kingdom of Goguryeo. The only possible answer is that Queen Heo of the Gaya Kingdom, who was Indian in origin and married King Suro, brought Buddhism with her to the peninsula and helped influence its spread earlier on than once thought. This is one potential answer. In addition to the temple’s mysterious history, the temple is filled with beautiful Buddhist artwork, especially in the main hall. Most…

  • Gyeongsangnam-do,  Video

    Video: Ssangmireuksa Temple – 쌍미륵사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Formerly known as Seongbulsa Temple, Ssangmireuksa Temple, which means “Twin Future Buddha Temple,” in English, underwent a complete make-over in 2018. The once unassuming temple in the beautiful Baenaegol Valley is now boldly painted in gold from entrance to exit and everything in between. First greeted by the life-sized statues of the twelve zodiac generals, there are a handful of shrine halls spread throughout the temple grounds both in obvious and in the not so obvious cracks and crevices of where the temple takes up residence. So follow me as I guide you through this little known temple that sits in the valley next to a meandering…