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Ssanggyesa Temple – 쌍계사 (Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Located in Jirisan National Park, and north of Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Ssanggyesa Temple is situated in one of the prettiest locations in all of Korea. The temple was originally built in 722 A.D. and called Okcheonsa Temple. The temple was built after the monks Daebi and Sambeop were instructed by the Jirisan Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) in the form of a tiger to find a valley where arrowroot blossomed throughout the year even during wintertime. Both monks were the disciples of the famed temple building monk, Uisang-daesa (625-702). Finding such a location, they built Okcheonsa Temple. And after returning from China, they buried the skull of the Sixth Seon Patriarch,…
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Video: Bicheon: Flying Heavenly Deities – 비천
Hello Again Everyone!! Typically, you’ll find these angelic paintings up near the roofs and rafters of a Korean Buddhist shrine hall. They can be playing a musical instrument, dancing, or even sprinkling water. Beautiful and elegant in appearance, you’ll find them in and around Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. These flying heavenly deities have their origins in Hindu myth. So find out what the do and why they’re at Buddhist temples throughout Korea in this next temple artwork video. Enjoy!
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Video: Gwimyeon: The Monster Mask – 귀면
Hello Everyone!! You might have spotted this somewhat terrifying and sometimes playful figure around a Korean Buddhist temple. They can be located on wall, halls, beams, and panels. These colourful images, usually painted, but can also be a relief or a statue, is called a Gwimyeon. In English, they’re called a Monster Mask. They also go by the name Nathwi. So what exactly are these creatures? What do they do? How did they end up appearing in Korean Buddhist temples and hermitages? Well, watch this video and learn more about these wonderful and colour creatures!
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Video: Poroe: The Bell Dragon – 포뢰
Hello Again Everyone!! Continuing with our all-new temple artwork videos, today, we’ll be talking bout The Bell Dragon: Poroe. If you look at the crown of a temple bell, or a Brahma Bell, that takes up residence inside a temple’s bell pavilion, you’ll find a metallic image of a dragon. This dragon has a unique phobia, Cetaphobia, which helps make the bell sound louder. So watch this video and find out what exactly this fearsome dragon is afraid of. Enjoy!
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Video: The Dragon Ship of Wisdom – 반야용선도
Hello Again Everyone!! In this all-new type of videos, we’ll be exploring the temple artwork that adorns Korean Buddhist temples. Specifically, we’ll be looking at masonry, paintings, architecture, bells, drums, and so much more! And the topic of this video, which can be seen from time to time around a temple or hermitage is called “The Dragon Ship of Wisdom,” in English, or the “반야용선도,” in Korean. This painting is highly symbolic in the Buddhist understanding of the after life. So sit back and enjoy the video, as I explain The Dragon Ship of Wisdom!
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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: 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: 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: 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…