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Video: Cheongryeonam Hermitage – 청련암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hello Again Everyone!! Located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds in northern Busan, Cheongryeonam Hermitage means “Blue Lotus Hermitage,” in English. Not only is the hermitage the home to the Buddhist martial art Seonmudo, but it’s also the home to the most elaborate outdoor shrine dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). This bronze coloured statue dedicated by Jijang-bosal is surrounded by equally elaborate statues dedicated the Ten Kings of the Underworld and a collection of Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities) and a row of granite zodiac generals. It’s really something else to see. Any trip to Beomeosa Temple almost demands a visit to Cheongryeonam Hermitage. So take the time and…
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Video: Samgwangsa Temple – 삼광사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)
Hello Again Everyone!! Without a doubt, Samgwangsa Temple in Busan is the most colourful temple to visit in all of Korea during Buddha’s birthday. There are literally thousands of colourful paper lanterns and floats that take up residence in this centrally located temple in Busan. Belonging to the Cheontae-jong Order, Samgwangsa Temple was built in 1983. And it seems like every time I visit Samgwangsa Temple there’s a new building that’s popped up on the temple grounds. Things to look for at Samgwangsa Temple when you visit is the amazing main hall, the temple bell pavilion, and the thirty-three metre tall, nine story, stone pagoda with an outdoor stone shrine…
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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: 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: Seokbulsa Temple – 석불사 (Buk-gu, Busan)
Hello Again Everyone!! Seokbulsa Temple, which means “Stone Buddha Temple,” in English, was first established around 1930. Originally, the temple was known as Byeongpungam Hermitage, which means “Folding Screen Hermitage,” in English, for the rock formations on Mt. Geumjeongsan that almost appear to be folded in on themselves. The temple is filled with beautiful rock carvings of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion), Birojana-bul (The Buddha of Cosmic Energy) and the Sacheonwang (The Four Heavenly Kings). So take at look at the remote Seokbulsa Temple that’s situated in and among the clouds of Busan.