The entrance to Bul-guk-sa, known as Sok-gye-mun, has among the most elaborate entrances to any temple in Korea. The highlight of which is the thirty-three stepped staircase, representing the thirty-three steps to Enlightenment (according to the one who made it in thirty-three steps… ^_^). It is divided into two sections; the lower section, Cheong-un-gyo (the Blue Cloud Bridge), and the upper section, Baek-un-gyo (White Cloud Bridge).
Being one of the largest tourist attractions in the country, as well, it’s another temple I like to get to early in the morning, before the grounds become entirely over-run with people. During that short time, the words of the stones can still be listened to and they tell you why it’s called Bul-guk-sa, The Buddha-Land Temple.
Wake Up and Laugh! 
oh wow – i like the story and the photo is beautiful!! thankyou!
Anytime! (after Saturday and before Monday… ^_^)
The Sunday Photo has become one the highlights of my week! Another stunning picture! Thank you so much!
Thanks, Marcus!
But I really hope that says more about the photo than it does about your week… haha! (sorry, it’s been a long week!)
Just amazing, isn’t it.
It’s also amazing that the stone work avoided destruction.
It would be nice to be able to enter through the bridge one time and be greeted by the pagodas.
I had the good fortune to visit early one morning, right after a dawn visit to Sokkuram. Boy, that was a special day!
Were you with SeungSahn DaeSa?
I still haven’t been inside Sokkuram, just saw it through the window. I imagine it was a wonderful day!
very nice picture; there is somewhat sad feeling about it, as if this place, this building is a silent witness to some suffering, it is tranquil but not resting, there is no happy feeling about it, it is more like a reminder to get going on your way. Maybe I am just tired. Thank you for you Sunday Photos, I like them very much
Thank you Tanya,
Maybe we can forget happy and sad for this one. ^_^
Hope you get some rest!
Just beautiful. I love the way you set up the picture and the story about it. Thank you for these Sunday outings.
Some of Beop Jeong Sunim’s last words were, “If you have anything left that you own, use it in activities to make a pure, fragrant society.”
I have over 150,000 photos and counting… I hope they help make a more fragrant society!
thank you for your comments~