Sunday Photo; a rainy afternoon at Beomeo Temple
Sunday Photo; Dharma Hall at Hyang Il Hermitage
Here’s a seaside temple for Evelyn ^_^
I tried to to merge these two pics together but couldn’t get the sky to match very well… but thought it gave a better idea of the setting. (just ignore that ugly line, if you can!)
Hyangil Hermitage is a famous spot to watch the sunrise. There are little guesthouses below the rocky path to the temple. I heard they’ll lend you a flash little for the walk up.
Sunday Photo; Sinheungsa, Seorak Mountain
Vanavaccha
The color of blue-dark clouds, glistening,
cooled with the waters
of clear-flowing streams
covered with ladybugs:
…those rocky crags
…refresh me.
I shared this poem on my own blog on Friday, but loved it so much, I’d like to share it here as well.
It’s taken from the Theragatha, a collection of 264 poems in which the early monks recount their struggles and accomplishments along the path to enlightenment.
Sunday Photo; Gwan
“As things confront you, let them go to your foundation and continue to let go and observe. Even if the sky collapses, continue to let go and observe.”
-Seon Master Daehaeng
Guide to Korean temples.
Here’s a great guide to Korean temples, Dale’s Korean Temple Adventure. Set up by an expat in Busan, it focuses mainly on temples in the lower half of the country. (Which is fine, because that’s the heart of Korea’s Buddhist history and culture. )
He includes a lot of photos with each post, and relates the history of the temple, along with travel info and his overall impressions of how worthwhile it is to visit the temple. 
Here’s what Dale wrote about Hwaeomsa (화엄사):
Jirisan National Park was a place I long wanted to visit, but never got around to for one reason or another. I didn’t want to go hiking or camping, or anything like that at all. Instead, I wanted to visit two famous temples that sit on the side : Hwaeomsa and Ssangyesa temples. And finally, in the fall of 2005, I visited with my wife.
The first of two postings will cover the most renowned temple at Jirisan National Park: Hwaeomsa (“Flower Garland Sutra Temple”).
Hwaeomsa (화엄사) was founded by Yeon-gi Josa in 544, when Buddhism was just gaining a hold ofKorea’s religious landscape. The temple was continuously expanded until its total destruction during the Imjin War of 1592. Fortunately for us temple lovers, it was rebuilt three decades later. And today, it’s one ofKorea’s largest and most well-respected temples.
o
Once you’re dropped off at the bus stop at Hwaeomsa village, just south of the temple, you’ll have to walk about a kilometer up a beautiful and scenic valley road. You’ll pass through two gates, one of which is ensnared by dragons sculpted around the stone pillars. In the third gate are four largely sculpted heavenly kings protecting the temple from evil spirits. In the lower courtyard are two similar looking five-tier pagodas. As you continue walking straight, and on the upper level of the courtyard, is the main hall. Usually, the main hall is the largest structure at the temple; however, the main hall is dwarfed by the building that stands just left of it: Gakhwangjeon. Gakhwangjeon has a two-tiered roof, and it’s also one of the largest and oldest buildings, dating back to 1703, in all of Korea.
o
It’s a massive building that houses seven figures on its altar. Another strange feature about this temple is that the Seokgamoni Buddha (the historical Buddha) sits in Gakhwangjeon, and not in the main hall. Accompanying the Seokgamoni Buddha in this building are Amita and Dabo Buddhas, as well as the Gwaneum, Bohyeon, Munsu, and Jijeok bodhisattavas. Directly in front of this massive hall is the largest stone lantern in all of Korea, standing five metres tall. Next to this pagoda is an impressive “sari budo” with four fierce looking lions adorning it.
o
But even more impressive than the massive Gakhwangjeon is what stands on the hill just above this building. On the hill stands the most uniquely designed pagoda (next to the ones at Bulguksa) and stone lantern. The five metre tall granite pagoda has three-tiers on top and four lion-shaped pedestals at its base. Each lion represents the four primary human emotions: love, sorrow, anger, and joy. At the centre of these lions stands a human figure with hands held to his chest. There are numerous other designs etched onto this pagoda, so take your time and enjoy the intricacies of this pagoda. And just in front of this pagoda is the equally unique stone lantern with a squatting figure at the centre of its base. Some have suggested that this is the founder of the temple kneeling in obedience to his mother.
o
HOW TO GET THERE: To get to Hwaeomsa from Busan, there is a direct bus from Seobu bus terminal at the Sasang subway stop (#227). It costs about 14,000Won, and the trip takes about three hours. If you’re not getting to Hwaeomsa from Busan, you can take a bus to Gurye. From Gurye to Hwaeomsa, you can take a bus that goes to Hwaeomsa village for about 1,000 Won.
Admission to the temple is 3,000 Won (and trust me, it is well worth it!)
o
OVERALL RATING: 10/10. For its historical significance alone, Hwaeomsa rates highly amongst Korean temples. But if you add the giant splendor that is Gakhwangjeon, and the temple rates that much higher. And to top it all off, on the hill stands two of the most uniquely designed pagodas and lanterns in all of Korea. So if you couldn’t tell already, I highly, highly recommend a visit to Hwaeomsa for both its cultural significance and artistic beauty!
(Photos: These are from my collection. I didn’t take them, but I can’t remember who gave them to me. Sorry! – Chong Go Sunim. As you can see, Dale has great info about these temples (and photos as well), so be sure to check out his blog.)
Sunday Photo; steps to an old, neglected Darma Hall
Seen and Unseen Connected as One
Here’s a nice Dharma talk by Seon Master Daehaeng.
Everything, throughout the entire universe and Dharma realm
is connected with each other,
and connected to everything in our lives.
Although unseen,
this connection is like a great net of the Dharma,
a thread that connects everything,,
and a path on which there is no coming or going.
Even this realm of ours is connected, in every way,
to all upper and lower realms.
Our world faces so many difficulties.
Like sailors,
we have to be prepared to deal with whatever kinds of waves arise.
Yet if we can’t take care of what’s right in front of our eyes,
how will we be able to overcome the larger, underlying aspects?
Our bodies and material things have no power to truly resolve
these kinds of problems.
o
Should even the energy that fills the air around us be depleted,
more would flow in from outside the Earth.
It’s not for lack of energy that our planet suffers,
but because people don’t recognize the energy that’s already present,
and so are unable to use it.
To use this energy,
people who understand about our fundamental mind
have to all become one mind.
If we can do this, the whole will respond to the thoughts we raise.
We have to become one mind, we have to become a great pillar.
o
As I’ve always said, this isn’t about finding something,
somewhere else.
It’s about what we’ve always had,
it’s about our foundation.
We, the owners of the Earth, have to firmly rely upon our root.
Start with brightening your own light, and others will become brighter,
eventually filling the world with light.
How could the world become brighter if the people remain in darkness?
o
You have to bring together both the visible and the unseen-realms
and function using both.
This is the practice of finding your root,
while becoming one with everything that arises in the world.
It’s my sincerest hope that all of you will become fellow practitioners,
diligently practicing, becoming brothers and sisters through our one mind,
and help people throughout the world find their way.
-Daehaeng Kun Sunim
(Lotus photo is by Joseph.)
Sunday Photo; Jebiwon
Nonviolent Communication group, in Seoul
I just thought I’d share this with those of you in the Seoul area, there is a Nonviolent Communication (NVC) practice group in Seoul.
A friend of mine has been involved with the group for a few years and what she’s told me of her learning has been very inspirational. (Especially considering that of all the things that come out of our bodies, words can be some of the most troubling!)
On their website (http://krnvc.org/eng/index.aspx), nonviolent communication is described as, “a way of relating to ourselves and others, moment to moment, free of past reactions.”
A big part of NVC is actually learning to listen, to understand the other’s needs as much as learning to express your own.
For more information on the group, here is a link: What We Do
And if you’d like to visit: Direction
Sunday Photo; Jiri Mountain
To hike Jirisan, I’ve been told, takes a full three days, so the one time I went hiking in the mountain, I only went a short way up, to Buril waterfall, and camped out nearby, then made my way back down the next morning.
Just before the waterfall is a small hermitage, where the monk, Il-ryong (One Dragon), invited me in for some locally made green tea. I thought I would sit and have a nice talk with him, while he poured us tea but instead he pointed over to his tea sets and basket of tea, and said, “I have to go pray now, help yourself.”
I was a bit surprised, but took him up on his offer, anyway. Even more surprised was the older gentleman who came along a few minutes later to find the bald-headed foreigner sitting in the temple making green tea. He asked if I were a monk and was really puzzled when I said no, and that the monk was in the back shrine doing ye-bul (ceremony). He let me pour him one cup of tea, but quickly got up and left after. I wondered if he thought I’d invited myself in and didn’t want to be there if the monk came back.
I sat facing the open door, and enjoyed every sip until the leaves were finally exhausted, while gazing out at this view. I often think about making the eight hour trip back there just so I can enjoy it once again, but I know that moment will probably not be found again.
