Yongkungsa Part I, Day 2, mid afternoon.
After the beach, our next stop was an inspiring coastal temple named Haedong Yongkung - translation: King's Dragon Temple. The current temple dates back to the 1930s, but the original temple on this site was constructed in 1376, by a monk named Naong. Its original name had been Bomoon temple.
As you first enter the temple grounds, twelve statues flank the wall on your left that leads the way while other, more modern sculptures are arranged to your right.
A pagoda lies next to the entrance to the staircase which descends the steep bank to the temple. The stairs are known as the 108 sorrows, I was told. Golden dragons then flank the top of the stairs.
The temple's creator, Naong, was an advisor to King Kongmin and practices asceticism at Bunhwang temple in Kyungju. During a period of intense drought across the land, Naong dreamt that the Divine Sea of East Seas told him to pray at the foundation of a temple at Mount Bongrae, in order for the land to grow and the winds and rains to become favourable once more.
Naong travelled and discovered the site that would then become Bomoon temple. Unlike most temples which are built in the mountains, Bomoon was along the coast where the waves crashed against the cliff and where it appeared the place was "returning its fortune in the evening if giving a Buddhist service in the morning."
Midway down the stairs, the path splits and there are two areas above the temple where one may say prayers and seek their own inspiration. The main path continues on to a white stone bridge that leads you across to the temple courtyard and buildings.
As with other Korean temples, the buildings are elaborately painted and figures grace the eaves and supports.
The spirit of the ocean is all around as the surf crashes against the rocks below the temple. From most vantage points you gaze out at the East Sea. After viewing the blackened statue on the cliff top leading in, we retraced our steps and then crossed the bridge to the main temple area. [Cont'd...]
Labels: Korea Trip 2008
0 Comments
Post a Comment
Home