Koreabridge
Singwangsa Temple – 신광사 (Geoje-do, Gyeongsangnam-do)
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Temple HistorySingwangsa Temple is located on the southern coast, on the western side, of Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do. Specifically, Singwangsa Temple is situated on the western portion of Mt. Baekamsan (494.6 m). According to the temple website, the location of Singwangsa Temple has long been regarded as a sacred place for the worship of Buddhism.
Singwangsa Temple dates back to the 1930’s, when a farmer, while digging a pond, discovered the Oryang Stone Buddha Statue. This stone Buddha statue dates back to either Later Silla (668-935 A.D.) or the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). This statue was designated Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage #48 in 1972.
More recently, Singwangsa Temple underwent extensive building during the 1980’s and 1990’s. During the 1980’s, the Iljumun Gate, the Nokyawon Shrine, the Sanshin-gak Hall, the subterranean Cheonbul-jeon Hall, and the Myeongbu-jeon Hall were built. During the 1990’s, the temple further expanded with the addition of the Beomjong-gak (Belll Pavilion) and the Nahan-jeon Hall. And in 2012, the Daeung-jeon Hall was built at Singwangsa Temple.
Temple LayoutYou first approach Singwangsa Temple up a set of side-winding back roads, until you eventually see the temple’s Iljumun Gate and a collection of stupas. In a bend in the road, you’ll finally arrive at the temple parking lot. Just over a grassy knoll, and past a collection of beautiful cedar trees, you’ll see the large Daeung-jeon Hall straight ahead of you.
The exterior walls to the Daeung-jeon Hall are decorated with fading Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals). In addition to this artwork, there is some beautiful latticework of dragons swirling around in their wooden frames with Gwimyeon (Monster Masks) at the base of the front doors. There are three large, dark wooden statues that take up residence inside the Daeung-jeon Hall on the main altar. The triad is centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This statue is then flanked on either side by Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) and Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). This triad was first made in the late 1980’s, and they are meant to represent the idea of Samsara. These three central statues are then joined by four standing statues on the main altar. Starting from the left, they are Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power), Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom), and Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). This collection stands between 135 to 150 centimetres in height. The interior of the massive Daeung-jeon Hall is cavernous.
Just out in front of the Daeung-jeon Hall, and to the right, is the Beomjong-gak (Bell Pavilion). Surrounding the pavilion, and on strings, are folded letters left behind by people with their hopes and dreams written on them. As for the Beomjong-gak Pavilion, there’s a large Brahma Bell that takes up residence inside it. This bell dates back to 1990.
One of the highlights to Singwangsa Temple, and to the right of the Beomjong-gak Pavilion, is a shrine dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. Past a mature collection of trees, and through an opening, you’ll come to a two-story island with a statue of Gwanseeum-bosal standing on the second story. This six metre tall statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion stands with a bottle of ambrosia in her left hand. This bottle is turned downwards. And populating the pond that Gwanseeum-bosal stands commandingly over top of are a collection of beautiful Koi. The statue and shrine of Gwanseeum-bosal date back to 1994.
Just to the immediate right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, and up a set of stairs, you’ll arrive in the upper courtyard at Singwangsa Temple. You’ll see a glass shrine dedicated to Yongwang (The Dragon King) in this area. It’s just past this shrine, and up a hedgerow, you’ll come to the subterranean shrine hall at the temple. This is the Cheonbul-jeon Hall. Inside this temple shrine hall are eight bronze coloured plaques that depict various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas at the entry. Passing by these, you’ll next enter the large inner cave chamber. Seated in the centre of the chamber is the historic Oryang Stone Buddha Statue. This statue is joined on all sides by a thousand golden Buddha statues dedicated to Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha).
Up past the Cheonbul-jeon Hall, and another set of stairs, you’ll come to a shaman shrine hall dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) and Chilseong (The Seven Stars). Besides being large in size, they are rather plain in design.
Just behind the Cheonbul-jeon Hall, and to the left of the Sanshin/Chilseong-gak Hall, you’ll come to another clearing. This time in the centre of this clearing is a beautiful stone sculpture dedicated to Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). This statue stands four metres in height; and like the Gwanseeum-bosal statue at Sinwangsa Temple, this statue also dates back to 1994. Joining the seated image of Mireuk-bul in this part of the temple grounds is the Nahan-jeon Hall. There are five hundred stone statues dedicated to the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) inside this temple shrine hall. These statues are between 30 to 33 centimetres in height, and they were first sculpted in the late 1990’s. These statues are then fronted by sixteen larger statues dedicated to the Nahan, and they stand 50 centimetres in height. The central image that sits on the main altar inside the Nahan-jeon Hall is a stone statue of Seokgamoni-bul.
To the rear of the Nahan-jeon Hall is the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, which is unadorned around its exterior walls all but for the basic dancheong colours. Taking up residence inside this shrine hall is another stone statue; this time, dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). This statue is joined on either side by a stone statue of Mudokgwi-wang (The King of Ghosts Who Purifies People’s Minds) and Domyeong-jonja. Also joining this stone statue of Jijang-bosal is another of the Bodhisattva of the Afterlife. This statue is backed by a mural of Jijang-bosal and the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld).
How To Get ThereBecause Singwangsa Temple is actually located closer to the neighbouring city of Tongyeong, you’ll need to get to the Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal first. And from the Tongyeong Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to take a taxi because there’s no bus that goes directly to Singwangsa Temple. The taxi will take about 25 minutes and cost you about 14,000 won.
Overall Rating: 8/10While it costs a fair bit to drive from Geoje-do Island from Busan, especially when you use the underwater Gadeok Tunnel, Singwangsa Temple certainly didn’t disappoint. The temple is filled with shrine halls including the underground Cheonbul-jeon Hall. In addition to the beautiful artwork that populates these shrine halls, have a look for the island shrine dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). With all this, you’ll have more than enough reason to visit the rather special Singwangsa Temple in the island city of Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do.
The beautiful environs around Singwangsa Temple in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do. The road leading up to the temple. The large Daeung-jeon Hall at Singwangsa Temple. The main altar inside the Daeung-jeon Hall. The outdoor island shrine dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) to the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall. A different angle to the amazing outdoor shrine. A look inside the subterranean Cheonbul-jeon Hall. The statue of Mireuk-bul behind the Cheonbul-jeon Hall. A look inside the Nahan-jeon Hall. And the main altar inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall.[Chapter Book : 돈이 되고 싶은 아이] 5장 짝이 불쌍해 보여요 (for Intermediate and Advanced)
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Study Korean at KLIFF and KLIFF Online!
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Busan's Korean Language Institute For Foreigners (KLIFF) is offering classes for everyone. Make a change by learning Korean this season. The teachers at KLIFF can help!
Think it takes a year to speak Korean well? Think again! In just a month we can get you speaking with the locals!
KLIFF is located in two convenient locations: PNU and Haeundae.
We have as many as 9 levels of Korean ability for you to choose from. We also offer special lectures targeted toward the Korean proficiency test.
We're open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and available Sunday, too!
Questions or need directions? Feel free to call us any time at 010-9108-6594, or email to [email protected]. You can also check us out at www.kliff.co.kr.
See the map below to our PNU location, call or see our website for Haeundae classes.
Korean classes in March!
Busan's Korean Language Institute For Foreigners (KLIFF) is offering classes for everyone. Make a change by learning Korean this season. The teachers at KLIFF can help! Think it takes a year to speak Korean well? Think again! In just a month we can get you speaking with the locals! KLIFF is located in two convenient locations: PNU and Haeundae. We have as many as 9 levels of Korean ability for you to choose from. We also offer special lectures targeted toward the Korean proficiency test. We're open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and available Sunday, too! Questions or need directions? Feel free to call us any time at 010-9108-6594, or email to [email protected]. or [email protected] You can also check us out at www.kliff.co.kr.
—Busan's Korean Language Institute For Foreigners (KLIFF) is offering classes for everyone. Make a change by learning Korean this season. The teachers at KLIFF can help!
Think it takes a year to speak Korean well? Think again! In just a month we can get you speaking with the locals!
KLIFF is located in two convenient locations: PNU and Haeundae.
We have as many as 9 levels of Korean ability for you to choose from. We also offer special lectures targeted toward the Korean proficiency test.
We're open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and available Sunday, too!
Questions or need directions? Feel free to call us any time at 010-9108-6594, or email to [email protected]. You can also check us out at www.kliff.co.kr.
See the map below to our PNU location, call or see our website for Haeundae classes.
Busan's Korean Language Institute For Foreigners (KLIFF) is offering classes for everyone. Make a change by learning Korean this season. The teachers at KLIFF can help!
Think it takes a year to speak Korean well? Think again! In just a month we can get you speaking with the locals!
KLIFF is located in two convenient locations: PNU and Haeundae.
We have as many as 9 levels of Korean ability for you to choose from. We also offer special lectures targeted toward the Korean proficiency test.
We're open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and available Sunday, too!
Questions or need directions? Feel free to call us any time at 010-9108-6594, or email to [email protected]. You can also check us out at www.kliff.co.kr.
See the map below to our PNU location, call or see our website for Haeundae classes.
Yong – Dragons: 용
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IntroductionOne of the most common things you’ll find at a Korean Buddhist temple is a dragon. You can find them in paintings, statues, adornments, latticework around shrine halls and even under bridges. So why do you find so many dragons are a Korean Buddhist temple?
A dragon and Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) at Daewonsa Temple in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. History of the Korean DragonAs Buddhism started to migrate eastward from India, it started to take on local influences and forms. One great example of this can be seen when Buddhism started to spread throughout China during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C. – 220 A.D.). When Buddhism entered into China, the dragon first came as a Naga. Naga, as in Hinduism, takes the form of a great cobra. They are divine, or semi-divine deities, or even a semi-divine race of half-human/half-serpent beings that are raised in Patala (a subterranean realm of the universe). As a result, they are primarily depicted in three forms. They can be wholly human with snakes on their heads or necks, a serpent, or as half-human/half-snake. Some Naga are capable of using magic powers to transform themselves into humans. As for how they interact with human beings, Naga are potentially dangerous, but they are also helpful, protective, and beneficial to humans.
With Buddhism firmly being established during the Six Dynasties (220-589 A.D.) in China, the Naga became a dragon. And with the migration of Buddhism to the Korean peninsula from China taking place first in the Goguryeo Kingdom (37 B.C. – 668 A.D.) in 372 A.D., dragons, instead of Naga, migrated to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (57 B.C. – 668 A.D.), as well.
A dragon mural that adorns the side of the Yonghwa-jeon Hall at Tongdosa Temple. Korean Dragon’s Appearance and Symbolic MeaningIn Korean, dragons are known as “yong” or “ryong.” In appearance, they can have deer antlers, a snake belly, a fish tail, claws, and whiskers. They can also be a number of colours like blue, red, yellow, green, or brown.
Another thing that differentiates Korean dragons from other dragons is that they have longer beards. Also, you’ll usually see a Korean dragon with an orb, which is known as a “Yeouiju – 여의주” in Korean. This is a Cintamani, or wish-fulfilling jewel. It can be held in its claws or mouth. It’s believed that whoever holds a Yeouiju has the power of omnipotence and creation. Another feature that differentiates Korean dragons is that they have four toes to hold and wield the Yeouiju, as opposed to lesser three-toed dragons.
However, unlike the western idea of dragons, which are thought to be destructive and harmful, dragons in Korea are thought to be a sign of good luck. In fact, dragons are thought to be the bearer of good fortunate and spiritual clarity because of their loud voices. Their voices clear away any and all delusions of corrupting thought. In Korea, dragons are said to have power over the sea, floods, and storms. And specifically in Buddhism, they are thought to be one of eight kinds of protective deities that help guard the teachings of the Buddha (the dharma).
Where to Find Korean DragonsThere are numerous places that you can find dragons at a Korean Buddhist temple. Here are eight specific examples of where you can find these dragons.
The Dragon Ship of WisdomThe Dragon Ship of Wisdom, which is known as “Banya Yongseon-do – 반야 용선도” in Korean, is a ship that transports people across the Sea of Samsara. In Korean, Samsara is known as “Yunhwi – 윤회.” Samsara, or Yunhwi, refers to the idea of the cycle of life: birth, death, and rebirth. As the name of the ship kind of gives away, The Dragon Ship of Wisdom is shaped like a dragon (go figure!?). It has the head of a dragon for the bow and the tail of the dragon as the stern. Typically, the dragon shaped ship is painted blue with a handful of occupants sailing across Samsara. The Dragon Ship of Wisdom is being ferried across Samsara by two Bodhisattvas at either end of the vessel. (Picture from Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do).
Temple Shrine Hall AdornmentsOftentimes you’ll see a pair of dragon heads near the entry of a temple shrine hall, book-ending the nameplate of the specific shrine hall. These dragons that protrude outwards from the eaves of a temple shrine hall are meant to symbolically represent the Dragon Ship of Wisdom. So by entering a temple shrine hall, one is being transported across the Sea of Samsara. These dragons are one of the more misunderstood dragons that you’ll find at a Korean Buddhist temple. More often than not, they’re simply thought of as being ornamental, but everything at Korean Buddhist temples, especially the artwork, has meaning. (Picture from Magoksa Temple in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do).
Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha)As for the Mireuk-jeon Hall, which is where Mireuk-bul commonly takes up residence at a Korean Buddhist temple, this temple shrine is also known as a Yonghwa-jeon. Yonghwa means “Dragon Flower” in English, while jeon means “hall.” This connection to a dragon might seem a bit confusing at first; however, according to Buddhist tradition, when Mireuk-bosal returns to Earth as Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha), he will have attained his Buddhahood under a Dragon Flower Tree. Furthermore, dragons are thought to have a countless amount of scales on their bodies, which is a symbol of the infinite. It’s also symbolic of a dragon’s immeasurable power. Another connection to the dragon for Mireuk-bul is the belief that Mireuk-bul turned into a dragon spirit as he entered into a meditative state while awaiting to achieve Buddhahood. This also connects the idea of a dragon’s ability as a shape-shifter to appear in any number of forms to help people towards Jeongto (The Pure Land). (Picture from Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do).
The Sacheonwang (The Four Heavenly Kings)Another connection that dragons have to Korean Buddhist temples is through the Sacheonwang, who, in English, are known as the Four Heavenly Kings. The specific connection that dragons have to the Four Heavenly Kings is through Gwangmok Cheonwang (or Virupaksha in Sanskrit). Nagas are followers of Gwangmok Cheonwang (don’t forget that Nagas became dragons during their migration eastwards). The Four Heavenly Kings are guardians of Mt. Sumeru, which is the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual centre of the universes. As a result of this devotion of the Nagas, you can typically see a dragon being held in the right hand of Gwangmok Cheonwang. (Picture from Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju).
Poroe (The Bell Dragon)Traditionally, a dragon adorns the top of a Korean temple bell. The hooks that hold the bell to the rafters on a temple bell are usually shaped like a dragon. As a result, they are called “dragon hooks.” In Korean, this dragon is known as as Poroe – 포뢰. Poroe has a bit of a phobia. Poroe is afraid of whales. And according to this myth, when Poroe sees a whale, Poroe cries out. The reason this is important is that the striker that hits the bell, traditionally, is a whale-shaped striker. So when the whale-shaped striker hits the bell, Poroe, who crowns the bell, lets out a loud scream. This allows the bell to make a louder noise. That’s why, in Korea, the sound that a bell makes is called a “whale sound.” (Picture from Seokbulsa Temple in Buk-gu, Busan).
Datjib (The Main Altar Canopy)Datjib, in Korean, is a compound word. “Dat” means separate, while “jib” means house. Another name for a datjib is “celestial canopy,” which is a reference to the airy feeling that the roof-shaped structure possesses.
As for the design of the datjib, it’s made of wood, and the woodwork consists of finely interconnected brackets that have been ornately decorated. The pillar of the datjib are usually thin, which helps contribute to the airy feel of the design. Surrounding the typically red painted datjib are dragons, phoenixes, lotus flowers, Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities), and other celestial deities. At a glance, the canopy looks like a mini-palace. As for the dragon or dragons that take up residence near the datjib, they are meant in their more traditional role as protectors. (Picture from Samgwangsa Temple in Busanjin-gu, Busan).
Temple BridgesSometimes if you look under a bridge at a Korean Buddhist temple like Seonamsa Temple’s Seungseon-gyo Bridge in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, you’ll find a dragon. Not only are dragons listeners of the dharma (Buddhist teachings), but they are also protectors. So some temples with streams have bridges spanning them. On the underside of the bridge or near the wall of the stream, you’ll find a dragon. The reason you’ll find a dragon on the underside of the temple’s bridge is to prevent malevolent spirits from riding the stream water and entering the temple grounds. (Picture from Seonamsa Temple in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do).
Yongwang (The Dragon King)The name of the shaman deity kind of gives it all away. Yongwang (The Dragon King) is a shaman deity that can be found either in a Yongwang-dang Hall or a Samseong-gak Hall alongside other shaman deities like Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), Chilseong (The Seven Stars) and/or Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). Traditionally, Yongwang is the deity of lakes, rivers, ponds, waters, seas, stream, or pretty much anything to do with water. There’s a belief that there’s a world beneath the sea. And in this world, Yongwang rules in his Dragon Palace called “Yonggung” in Korean. And an easy way to identify Yongwang is that he’s always with a dragon. Sometimes these dragons fly all around him, and sometimes he’s flying one. And if he is in fact riding a dragon, this act symbolizes his dominance over the dragon. (Picture from Gwaneumsa Temple in Jeju City, Jeju-do).
A mural that adorns the Daeung-jeon Hall at Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Gijang-gun, Busan. Dragon TemplesThere are a few temples in Korea with the word dragon in their name. Great examples of this can be found at Hwangnyongsa-ji Temple Site in Gyeongju; Guryongsa Temple in Wonju, Gangwon-do; Hongryongsa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do; and Yongjusa Temple in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do.
In addition to temples using dragons in their names, there are several famous temples throughout Korea that have dragons in their founding creation myths like Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do; Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Gijang-gun, Busan; Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do; and Bunhwangsa Temple in Gyeongju.
ConclusionSo as you can see, dragons play an integral part in the artwork, history, and architecture of Korean Buddhist temples. The images and representations of dragons are diverse in their artistry and originality. So take a look around you the next time you’re at a Korean Buddhist temple and see just how many dragons you can see flying around the temple grounds.
The mural that illustrates Uisang-daesa’s voyage back to the Korean peninsula from Tang China on the Bota-jeon Hall at Naksansa Temple in Yangyang, Gangwon-do.Korean vs Japanese Markers (은/는 vs は, 이/가 vs が) | Korean FAQ
Occasionally I like to make niche videos that I know many people aren't going to watch, but that are still important.
Although my channel is about Korean, there have been a lot of people asking me if the Japanese markers are interchangeable with Korean markers.
This video attempts to answer that question.
Specifically this video will cover the differences between the Korean Topic Markers (은/는) and Subject Markers (이/가) and the Japanese Topic Marker (は) and Subject Marker (が).
The post Korean vs Japanese Markers (은/는 vs は, 이/가 vs が) | Korean FAQ appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.
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Urban Street Photography in Ulsan
I find street photography a challenging topic. When I first got into landscape photography, I remember having a few “street photographers” comment about my photos saying how superior their shots of people sleeping on the subway or a random street sign were. It sort of soured me on the whole genre. Not to mention, that this continued to occur and thus, the less I was interested in the genre.
The Taehwa-ru in all it’s gloryTo be honest, I tend to get annoyed by the toxic of postulating of photographers at times. I try to keep an open mind but if you have read my blog over the years then you will know that I have taken a number of jabs at street photographers over the years. Usually, I have those guys from back in the day in my head. However, these days I have tried to shift my perspective.
The Struggle is RealSince my Father passed away, I have been fighting with motivation and creativity. I will want to head out to shoot some landscapes around Ulsan and then just lose the motivation. Negative thoughts pop up like “no one gives a sh*t about your photos!” or “who are you trying to be?” “You are just trying to be [insert famous photographer] LOL” and then I just end up looking out at the window hoping that my motivation would come back.
So I finally just grabbed my gear and took a walk. I wanted to shoot…. something. I put on some good music and walked along the river as I normally do. This time, I had my camera in hand. It was a game changer.
At first, it was frustrating because I was walking super slow and didn’t get to my first location at blue hour. So the shot was a little on the “meh…” side. However, the night was young and I needed some coffee. I then decided to head to “old downtown” and see what I could find there.
There Is Character SomewherePerhaps it was the coffee, but after reaching SEONGNAM-DONG in Ulsan, I was starting to “see” a bit clearer. I had more of an idea that I wanted to show. This is something that I try to explain to the students that I have taught photography to over the years and that is “find the story” or to sound even more preachy “find your why” and go from there.
The seongnamdong district of Ulsan is a collection of older buildings, alleys and cheap eats.As the rain started to fall, the character of the area started to show up more and more. I could see the colours and the mood starting to come out in this area.
If you are unfamiliar with this area of Ulsan, it is one of the older areas of the city and parts of it are almost ancient. You can still find parts of the old protective walls build to protect the city. The area is a mix of modern culture and alleys that date back to the 60’s and 70’s. It is quite an eclectic mix for sure.
The More I WanderAs the rain started to fall hard and harder, I finally retreated home. One of the things that I love about Korea is that there is always some place to buy an umbrella. I ran over to the Daiso and grabbed the first black umbrella that I could find. I thought that would be better than the assortment of teddy bears and Disney characters that adorned the other umbrellas.
Sadly, I didn’t look close enough and bought an umbrella that was shaped like a giant hat. I kept getting funny looks on the way home but it was worth it. I was dry and so was my gear.
What I realised as I walked home was the fact that there are so many stories to tell as you wander around the streets in a city. Sure there are a lot of “meaningful” shots of stairwells that have comments about life and struggle. However, what I noticed was that if you really watch the scene, you will see the real story.
The seongnamdong district of Ulsan is a collection of older buildings, alleys and cheap eats.The bottomline here is that I learned a lot about about a style of photography that I had sort of written of as something for pretentious douchebags. I don’t think that I will be giving up my tripod for a pair of skinny jeans yet, but trust me when I say that after that rainy night, I have a newfound appreciation for street photography.
The more that you wander through the city the more interesting stories you will find.The post Urban Street Photography in Ulsan appeared first on The Sajin.
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This updated version of Koreabridge loads....
Geek question first. We'll deal with cosmetic issues next :)
The Musical CATS @ Dream Theater
○ Period: March 5 - April 4, 2021
○ Venue: Dream Theatre
○ Time: Tue., Thu., Fri. 7:30 p.m./ Wed. 3:00 p.m./ Weekends and holidays 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays
○ Age recommendation: ages 8 and older
○ Running Time: 160 minutes
○ Intermission: 20 minutes
○ Tickets: VIP-seat 160,000 won, R-seat 130,000 won, S-seat 110,000 won, A-seat 90,000 won, B-seat 60,000 won
○ Website: https://www.dreamtheatre.co.kr/Performance/Performance/Detail?num=28
○ Phone: 1833-3755
○ How to get there:
Metro Line 2 Busan Int’l Finance Center∙Busan Bank Station, Exit 3 then a 3-minute walk or Metro Line 1 Beomnaegol Station, Exit 4 then about a 9-minute walk.
※Audience seats have a safe distance in between them to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Why learn Korean? – 7 Reasons to Learn This Magical Language
Have you ever asked yourself the question “Why learn Korean?” What is so special about this language? Among all the languages in the world, each of them cool and unique and quite possibly worthy of learning, why should you choose to study Korean?
In this article, we hope we can decidedly answer the question “Why learn Korean?” and hopefully give you the inspiration to continue your Korean language studies.
Let’s check out the reasons why you totally should learn Korean!
1. Korean alphabet is super simple and the writing system incredibly logicalAt first glance, Korean may come across as an intimidating language due to having its own alphabet. However, the Korean alphabet is actually wonderful for how easy it is to learn and memorize. In fact, with us, you can master it in just 30 minutes!
Not only is the alphabet quick to memorize, but so is learning how to form words and sentences with them. Because the alphabet didn’t naturally evolve but was specifically created by King Sejong, it functions quite differently from many other languages. The ease and logic behind learning the basics of writing and reading certainly make Korean a language worth learning.
2. Korean grammar is straightforwardOne massive advantage of Korean grammar is the lack of need to conjugate verbs, at least in the same way that you would have to with many other languages. Thanks to this fact, fewer headaches and more learning can take place! If you’re already convinced about learning Korean now, here is our beginner’s guide to Korean grammar.
For example, there’s no need to worry about noun genders. One big struggle people experience when learning languages like French, Spanish, and Italian – so, Latin languages – is having to learn how all nouns have genders – and what gender each noun has! But Korean language doesn’t have them at all, which is one more awesome way to make learning the language a little simpler.
3. It’s easy to speakBecause the Korean alphabet is built on phonetics, pronouncing Korean is also incredibly logical. The sounds may be new to you, but you’ll quickly be able to learn them as everything is pronounced the way it is written. We have a guide for Korean pronunciation as well, to get you started. With practice, you’ll be able to speak Korean words properly in no time!
In addition, you get to take advantage of “Konglish”, which stand for mixing Korean and English in speech. That means, there are a lot of loan words from English in the Korean language. In turn, it means less new vocabulary to learn, as you already know many of them through English and now only need to nail the Korean way of pronouncing them. Konglish is a great way for beginners to speak Korean without necessarily memorizing a lot of foreign words.
4. Korean music, dramas, and movies are incredibly popular right nowThanks to BTS and Blackpink and many other world-famous K-pop artists, K-Pop is currently at its peak as a worldwide phenomenon. The Korean Wave is definitely here to stay! That makes Korean language a super cool one to be learning at the moment. So cool, in fact, you just might easily find friends to study together with! Better yet, maybe you could find a South Korean friend to practice your Korean with.
And not only are Korean dramas and movies great to watch for their popularity, but there are so incredibly many top-quality dramas and movies to choose from. And the best bit? They make for some of the best listening comprehension practice you could have when not in Korea. You could even learn a thing or two about their culture while watching your favorite Korean drama.
5. Korean culture is intriguing and uniqueBeyond its popular culture, there’s a lot to love about the culture in Korea. It’s tremendously interesting and in many ways one of a kind. Even before the Korean wave, Korea has had a history of being a center of culture and arts. It’s possible to research and experience parts of it without knowing a lick of Korean. But the best bits you’ll likely only be able to understand once you also understand some of the Korean language. Specific terms, nuances, and so on, are much easier to get a hold of once you know some of the languages behind them.
6. It will be of so much help when you do visit South KoreaMost Koreans do speak enough English that you will survive your visit with flying colors even if you aren’t fluent in Korean. However, being able to communicate in the local language always makes things like ordering in the restaurant more convenient and comfortable for both parties. Not to mention Koreans will find you so cool and respectful for having taken the time to learn their language!
And, for example, it will give you an easier time making Korean friends once there. Koreans do spend a lot of time studying English and other languages. However, the truth is that it’s always easier to make friends with them when you approach them using Korean. But making Korean friends also means you will get to put your Korean skills into action often, making it a useful language to learn.
Korea has a very rich culture and visiting Korea to know more about their way of life is definitely worth it. However, you may want to brush up on your Korean before your trip if you really want to fully experience Korean culture. Trust us, the locals will love you for it.
7. Korean language can be useful for your careerEspecially if you want to work in translation, interpretation, or other jobs that heavily involve languages, having Korean language included in your repertoire is a massive advantage.
Although there are many speakers of Korean out there, it still remains a language that few people are able to use as their talent. Therefore, it can be more advantageous to become proficient in Korean rather than Japanese or Chinese, or Russian, Spanish, French, and so on, for that matter.
Is Korean worth learning?There are a number of factors that make learning Korean worth it. First, it’s a fantastic and fun language. If you’re a K-drama fan, then you get to understand the dialogues without having the need for subtitles. And if you love K-pop, then you’ll understand the lyrics and you get to sing along with your favorite artist.
Second, if you are going to visit or live in Korea, then it will undoubtedly be a new language that’s worth learning for you. Same if it is a language connected to your family history or your university degree. Perhaps learning Korean might even be necessary for your job! Learning Korean is worth learning because it opens you to a wider horizon. There are several reasons to learn Korean as we’ve discussed in the article above.
It could also be that the reasons above don’t apply to you. You may just want to learn a language and Korean just happens to be the one that you’ve been contemplating taking on.
Is Korean hard to Learn?Generally, learning Korean isn’t difficult to learn. It may depend on your native language or language learning experience. But there’s nothing too difficult when you give your heart, time, and energy to learn something and that also applies to learning Korean. If you have the right materials and strategies on top of your dedication to learn Korean, it won’t be difficult to learn the language.
We hope that we’ve given you a new perspective on your Korean studies. Initially, you might feel that Korean is a new language that’s difficult to learn but eventually, with time, you’ll find that if you’re going to pick a foreign language to study, Korean might just be the one for you.
Is the language the same in North and South Korea?The North and South use different dialects and vocabulary, but the fundamental parts of the language are the same.
Should I Learn Korean?Although at first glance it may not seem like much more than a quirky niche language to learn for fun, learning the Korean language can actually have many advantages for you. Its relative easiness, coupled with the strong popular culture behind it, makes it a fun language.
But it’s in its usefulness both in living and traveling in South Korea as well as how you can utilize it for work, that you can truly see what a magnificent language Korean is to learn.
What questions do you have about learning Korean? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Why learn Korean? – 7 Reasons to Learn This Magical Language appeared first on 90 Day Korean®.
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softball poster.jpgLearn Korean with BTS – Here’s How to Do It
Did you know that you can learn Korean with BTS? That’s right! The boys from Big Hit Entertainment can help with learning Korean!
Who knew that studying the songs of a boyband with over 100 million global fans can help you in learning the Korean language?
If you’re interested to study the Korean Language with BTS, read on!
Who is BTS?BTS is a seven-member boy pop group from South Korea. They are also called “Bangtan Boys”, and are under the entertainment company Big Hit Entertainment (Do you know how to say BTS in Korean? Check out this video). They’ve taken Korea and the whole world by storm!
What does it mean to learn Korean with BTS?You can use BTS lyrics, songs, and content to help you with studying the language. Within the songs, you can know useful vocabulary, slang, and expressions. Then when you sing along to the songs, you can speak and listen to the words you’ve learned.
You can look out for playlists like “BTS study music” or “BTS workout music” to help you with learning the language.
As you understand what the music means, you’ll start to uncover the subtle meanings built into the language. It’s different than just learning the romanized English version of the song. Additionally, you can actually learn a thing or two about the culture at the same time!
Can you become proficient in Korean by listening to K-Pop?Yes, it will definitely help with proficiency. However, you will still want to study the underlying grammar and words. That will allow you to understand the meaning of the lyrics, as well as be able to create your own sentences.
We have a structured online course that will teach you all of the fundamentals that you need.
How can K-Pop help me learn Korean?There are many ways that listening to K-Pop can help you study Korean.
The lyrics of the songs use a mix of everyday conversational language and artistic language. These can help you understand words or phrases. You can listen to the lyrics and understand the meaning behind them.
K-Pop artists also have live broadcast channels such as V Live. During these broadcasts, some kind-hearted fans translate what the artists say into English for the other fans who don’t understand. Sometimes the artists even do the translating themselves, if you ask nicely!
They also have a variety of programs such as Run BTS, where you can get exposed to their dialogues or conversations.
Can BTS help me in learning Korean?You might be asking yourself: Can BTS really teach you Korean? Yes! We know a few tips for what type of learning you can do with the Kings of Big Hit Entertainment. We hope you are ready for it because we’ll introduce them to you below.
However, simply knowing you could study a foreign language with BTS may not be enough of a reason to utilize them as a learning tool. So, on top of some of the ways you can learn with BTS, here are some reasons why it’s totally awesome to learn Korean with BTS!
#1. You can follow along with their catchy songsGive a few of their songs a listen, and you’ll know just what we mean. Whether the songs will become your personal favorites or not, they will get stuck in your head. Their fans know what we’re talking about!
Not only will you find their catchiness a great motivation to keep studying, but you’ll also end up learning through them whenever you find yourself singing along to the tune. AZLyrics is a great resource for finding BTS’ song lyrics in romanized, hangeul, and translated versions.
#2. You can have brief lessons throughout the dayBecause each song is only a few minutes long, you don’t have to spend an hour on each one. In many cases, you’ll only need three minutes!
So if you’re pressed for time at the moment, put on a catchy song by BTS and really listen to the lyrics. You might even try singing along. It might not happen immediately, but each of those three minutes of pronunciation practice will add up. Soon you’ll be surprised by how much of the lyrics you can actually understand!
#3. Singing along improves your pronunciationWhen studying Korean, practice is key. And is there anything more fun than practicing your pronunciation by singing along to your favorite songs? We don’t think so!
If you’re having a hard time understanding the lyrics, try just learning a few words at a time. Do the same with the grammar and phrases, and step-by-step the meaning will become clear!
#4. The songs’ repetitiveness makes memorization easierOnce you get started with singing along with BTS, you’ll want to listen to the songs over and over again, which will enhance your listening, memorization, and even pronunciation skills.
Because the vocabulary in the songs isn’t your typical everyday basic conversation, you’ll also try to learn them with more excitement so that you can understand properly what your biases are singing about. In little time you’ll find yourself singing the songs from memory, even when it’s not playing in the background!
#5. Beyond songs, there’s so much content with BTS in them to explore throughAny song from this awesome group would eventually be a big hit. But beyond the songs, they have so much content to help you learn.
You can also follow them on their social media accounts and focus on reading their photos’ captions. You can even connect and socialize with the millions of BTS fans who are also trying to study the language. Youtube videos of their interviews are a big hit among fans, with hours of content, garnering millions of likes from fans. Ask any of their global fans (called the BTS Army), they’ll tell you that they’re so much more than just the music.
#6. You can learn slang that isn’t taught in textbooksIt’s fun to pick up slang in songs, and the BTS lyrics are a great way to study them! The more modern slang you know, the more you’ll be able to understand K-Dramas and Korean movies, too.
#7. It can aid in understanding K-Pop culture and culture in generalBTS is a big name in K-Pop as well and can be likened to as one of Korea’s flagship music acts at the moment. Through them, you can not only open doors to more understanding and knowledge of K-Pop, but of Korean culture as a whole. And loving the culture behind the language is a great way to learn.
These are just a few examples of the reasons and ways that BTS can help you in learning Korean. You may even come up with new ways yourself!
If you want to learn what BTS lyrics mean, we have a step-by-step course inside of 90 Day Korean membership that will teach you the basics in only 3 months. Skip the guesswork plus get hand-picked content and full support from a native Korean speaker.
What questions do you have about learning Korean with BTS? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Learn Korean with BTS – Here’s How to Do It appeared first on 90 Day Korean®.
field_vote: 0 Your rating: None인터뷰 시리즈 2: 미국 로스쿨 선택시 뭘 고려해야할까요? (로스쿨 순위, 동부 서부? 특화된 분야? 그리고 또 뭘 생각해야하죠?)
Sinheungsa Temple – 신흥사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
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Temple History and MythSinheungsa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the more famous temple of the same name in Sokcho, Gangwon-do, means “New Enjoyment Temple” in English. Sinheungsa Temple is located on the foot of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1081 m) on the western side of the mountain. If this mountain sounds familiar, it should, as it houses Tongdosa Temple on the eastern side of Mt. Yeongchuksan.
There are some that claim that Sinheungsa Temple was first established in 301 A.D. during the Gaya Confederacy (42-532 A.D.). And while it’s plausible, it’s highly unlikely with the introduction of Buddhism entering into the neighbouring kingdoms of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) in 384 A.D. and the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) in 527 A.D. And without any archaeological or architectural evidence, it would seem that Buddhism entered this territory sometime after 301 A.D.
With all that being said, and like so many other great temples in Korea, Sinheungsa Temple has a great myth surrounding its creation. According to myth, King Suro (42?-199 A.D.), the legendary founder of the Gaya Confederacy, was praying on the temple grounds when he was advised that there was a poisonous dragon/snake in a neighbouring jade pond. He was instructed to drive out this poisonous dragon/snake from the countryside. So praying earnestly, the temple building stones turned into fish and drove out the dragon/snake from the countryside and into the East Sea. That’s why now, if you knock on a stone at Sinheungsa Temple, it’ll sound like metal.
After its foundation, very little is known until the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when Sinheungsa Temple was rebuilt in 1582. During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese in 1592. According to a record recovered during a partial repair of the main hall at Sinheungsa Temple in 1988, it was discovered that the Daegwang-jeon Hall had been rebuilt in 1657. From that date, the entire temple complex was slowly rebuilt.
A major restoration and rebuilding period occurred at Sinheungsa Temple during the 1980’s. Not only was the Daegwang-jeon Hall repaired, but starting in 1983, the Chilseong-gak Hall, the Sanshin-gak Hall, the Cheonwangmun Gate, the Iljumun Gate, and the Guksa-dang Hall were rebuilt, as well. This restoration and rebuilding continues to the present day with new additions like the Gwaneum-jeon Hall, the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, and the Samseong-gak Hall being built in the eastern courtyard.
In total, Sinheungsa Temple is home to two Korean Treasures. It’s also worth noting that the head monk at Sinheungsa Temple isn’t a big fan of pictures or videos being taken at the temple, so be forewarned if you do in fact visit Sinheungsa Temple.
Temple LayoutYou first approach Sinheungsa Temple up an unevenly paved country road next to a meandering stream. You’ll need to walk about five hundred metres up this country road and past the uniquely designed Iljumun Gate to gain entry to the main courtyard at Sinheungsa Temple. Crossing over a bridge with handrails appearing in the form of a dragon’s head and body, you’ll see the walled-off compound that is the main temple courtyard at Sinheungsa Temple.
Just to the right of this is the temple’s Cheonwangmun Gate. Four expressive incarnations of the Four Heavenly Kings take up residents inside this second entry gate at Sinheungsa Temple. The exterior walls to the Cheonwangmun Gate are beautifully, yet intimidatingly, adorned with various guardian murals.
Appearing on the other side of the Cheonwangmun Gate, and now standing squarely in the western temple courtyard, you’ll notice the Jong-ru (Bell Pavilion) to your immediate left. Housed inside this one story structure are the four traditional Buddhist percussion instruments, which include a Brahma Bell, a Dharma Drum, a Wooden Fish Drum, and a Cloud Plate Drum. Of the four, it’s the blue Mokeo (Wooden Fish Drum) that will draw most of your attention with its slender body and fierce dragon head. It’s also in this part of the temple, even further to the left, that you’ll find the monks quarters, visitors centre, and study halls at Sinheungsa Temple. And to your immediate right of the Cheonwangmun Gate is a large, long lecture hall.
However, it’s the temple structure straight ahead of you that’s the main attraction at Sinheungsa Temple. It’s the Daegwang-jeon Hall, which was first built in 1657, and it’s Korean Treasure #1120. The exterior wall murals that once adorned the Daegwang-jeon Hall are all gone: washed away by the passage of time. Although the Daegwang-jeon Hall was built in the mid-Joseon Dynasty, it retains a lot of the features of the early Joseon Dynasty. Stepping inside the Daegwang-jeon Hall, you’ll immediately notice that the interior is completely filled with historic murals that date back to the mid-17th century, while a few others were painted in the 18th century. In total, there are nearly fifty of these murals, and they’re designated as Korean Treasure #1757. Also, the interior is decorated with elaborate dancheong colours that are believed to have been created at the time of the Daegwang-jeon Hall’s construction. The triad of statues on the main altar is occupied by the central image of Birojana-bul (The Buddha of Cosmic Energy).
Specifically, as for the collection of fifty murals housed inside the Daegwang-jeon Hall, the inner, outer, and upper half walls are adorned with these murals, as are the cross beams and the tall inner columns to the Daegwang-jeon Hall. The murals are meant to depict the Buddha’s world. The murals that adorn the eastern inner walls of the Daegwang-jeon Hall consist of a Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise) triad in the upper central portion of the wall. Murals of the Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life) adorn the outer columns and horizontal supports. There are also paintings dedicated to Agwi (Hungry Spirits) on the lower under wall on the far left corner of the Daegwang-jeon Hall.
The murals on the western wall, on the other hand, take up the entire wall. In total, the wall is divided into three parts, which contain murals dedicated to an Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) triad at the top. There are then six Bodhisattvas in the middle, and the Four Heavenly Kings at the base of the three parts. Spread throughout the entire interior of the Daegwang-jeon Hall are guardian murals. And to the rear of the main altar, on the reverse side of the main altar wall, is a dark blue mural dedicated to three incarnations of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). There is one larger seated central image of the Bodhisattva of Compassion that’s joined on either side by two smaller standing murals of Gwanseeum-bosal. While some of the murals housed inside the Daegwang-jeon Hall were repaired during the early 19th century, both the Yaksayeorae-bul triad and the Amita-bul triad on the east and west walls remain as they were first painted.
To the left rear of the the Daegwang-jeon Hall is the newly constructed Nahan-jeon Hall. Housed inside the Nahan-jeon Hall are sixteen beautiful statues of the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) that are joined on the main altar by the central image of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). Past the Nahan-jeon Hall, and up a winding trail to the rear of the Nahan-jeon Hall, is the Sanshin-gak Hall that looks over the entire temple grounds. The right exterior wall is adorned with a ferocious tiger. Stepping inside the small shaman shrine hall, you’ll be greeted by a solitary painting dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). In the painting, Sanshin is holding a feather fan in his right hand, and the tiger is cuddled up close to the Mountain Spirit with its head and paw placed lovingly/protectively on the lap of Sanshin.
To the right of the older part of the temple is the eastern temple courtyard. There are three newer temple shrine halls that occupy this part of the temple grounds. The first is the newly built Gwaneum-jeon Hall. Housed inside the Gwaneum-jeon Hall, and seated on the main altar, is a beautifully ornate statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. This multi-armed and headed incarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion is joined by a statue of Yongwang (The Dragon King) that stares inquisitively up at Gwanseeum-bosal. As for the interior of the Gwaneum-jeon Hall, it’s filled with beautiful murals dedicated to the various incarnations of Gwanseeum-bosal, including the back wall of the main altar that’s occupied by three all-white incarnations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, including one reminiscent of the historic one found at Muwisa Temple.
To the right of the Gwaneum-jeon Hall is the Myeongbu-jeon Hall. This hall is dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). The exterior walls are adorned with frightening and redemptive murals of the afterlife. Stepping inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, you’ll notice a golden-capped statue of Jijang-bosal seated on the main altar. Above the main altar is one of the most amazing murals dedicated to Jijang-bosal in all of Korea. The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife stands on a stone island outcropping surrounded by the fires of the underworld, as Jijang-bosal attempts to save the souls of the dead. The main altar statue inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall is joined by large wooden seated statues of the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld). And the rest of the Myeongbu-jeon Hall is ornately occupied by vibrant murals of guardians and fowl like peacocks.
The final shrine hall that visitors can explore at Sinheungsa Temple is the Samseong-gak Hall, which is situated just to the north of the Myeongbu-jeon Hall. This newly constructed shaman shrine hall is filled with three murals. The three murals are dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars), Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), and Yongwang (The Dragon King).
How To Get ThereSinheungsa Temple is one of the more difficult temples to get to because of its relatively remote location. From the Wondong train station in south-western Yangsan, you can catch Bus #2. Take this bus for nineteen stops and get off at the “Yeongpo – 영포” stop. From here, you should be able to see a large brown sign saying Sinheungsa Temple on it. From this sign, hang a right for five hundred metres, and you’ll find the temple.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10This little known temple is packed with both natural and architectural beauty. The main highlight, without a doubt, is the 17th century Daegwang-jeon Hall with its equally historic murals that occupy every square inch of the interior. It’s truly spellbinding with its fifty historic Buddhist murals. Adding to these are the murals and iconography that occupy the half dozen shrine halls and the pair of entry gates. While you’ll have to watch for the curmudgeonly head monk at Sinheungsa Temple, and while a bit remote in location, Sinheungsa Temple is definitely worth a visit!
A look through the Cheonwangmun Gate at the historic Daegwang-jeon Hall. The historic Daegwang-jeon Hall at Sinheungsa Temple. The main altar inside the Daegwang-jeon Hall with a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) and the historic triad of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise) above it. The backside of the main altar wall. It’s a dark blue triad of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). The west wall inside the Daegwang-jeon Hall. This is the lower section of two Sacheonwang (Four Heavenly Kings). The western wall’s middle section with six Bodhisattvas. The upper portion of the western wall with a triad dedicated to Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). An Agwi (Hungry Spirit) mural inside the Daegwang-jeon Hall. The elevated Sanshin-gak Hall at Sinheungsa Temple. A look inside the Gwaneum-jeon Hall at the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The main altar inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall. The newly built Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall. field_vote: 0 Your rating: NoneBECAUSE(1) SONGㅣ- 아서/어서 송
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Boriam Hermitage – 보리암 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
The View from the Manbul-jeon Hall at Boriam Hermitage in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do.
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Hermitage History and MythBoriam Hermitage is located on Mt. Geumsan (704.9 m) in the southern part of Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. Boriam Hermitage was first established in 683 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) near the end of his life. Wonhyo-daesa was drawn to this location because of the amazing appearance of the mountain. Wonhyo-daesa saw light emitting from the mountain. Wonhyo-daesa described this light as a “light beyond description.” So he named the mountain Mt. Bogwangsan, and he named the new temple Bogwangwa Temple.
Boriam Hermitage gained famed as the site where General Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo), who would become the founding king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), performed ritual prayers. It’s believed that Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo) stayed at Boriam Hermitage for one hundred days to seek guidance to sufficiently lead his new kingdom, as well as to have the wisdom and good fortune to establish this new kingdom. It’s also believed that Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo) promised Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and the local Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) that he would wrap the entire mountain in silk if he was successful in his establishment of a new dynasty: the Joseon Dynasty. Sadly this promise was never fulfilled; but his future successor, King Hyeonjong of Joseon (r.1659-1674) would carry out this promise by renaming the mountain where Boriam Hermitage is located from Mt. Bogwangsan to Mt. Geumsan. It was also at this time that the temple was renamed to Boriam Hermitage from Bogwangsa Temple. Boriam Hermitage means “Enlightenment Hermitage” in English. At this time, Boriam Hermitage was designated as the “vowing temple of the royal family.”
Boriam Hermitage is one of the five most famous temples in Korea for the worship of Gwanseeum-bosal. It’s a Gwaneum-doryang, and it’s reputed that Boriam Hermitage is one of five sites where Gwanseeum-bosal is supposed to dwell in Korea.
More recently, Boriam Hermitage has undergone three renovations and reconstructions in the 20th century. The first took place in 1901, followed by one in 1954. The final of the three renovations took place in 1969 with the completion of the large, stone statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal that overlooks the South Sea.
Boriam Hermitage has quite an interesting myth, as well, related to the three-story pagoda that was meant to enshrine the partial remains of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) that were brought with Queen Heo on her voyage. The stone pagoda sits on a rock ledge that overlooks the South Sea at the hermitage. According to this myth, the pagoda was first built from the stones that Queen Heo brought with her from India. Queen Heo is the legendary/mythical queen mentioned in the 13th century text the Samguk Yusa. According to the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), Queen Heo became the wife of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (42?-199 A.D.) at the age of sixteen. After arriving on the Korean peninsula by boat from a distant kingdom called the Ayuta Kingdom, Queen Heo became the first queen of Geumgwan Gaya. Together, King Suro and Queen Heo would have twelve children (two of whom took on her family name). But while Queen Heo is referenced in the Samguk Yusa and the Garak-gukgi (The Record of Garak Kingdom), which is now lost, there is no mention of Queen Heo in any pre-modern Indian sources. What further casts doubt on this myth is that the stones that make up the three-story pagoda are made of granite. What’s more likely is that the pagoda was first built during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Either way, even if the myth seems unlikely, it’s an interesting myth that attempts to connect Boriam Hermitage to the ancient Gaya Confederacy (42-562 A.D).
Some of this information can be found in David Mason’s book “An Encyclopedia of Korean Buddhism.”
Hermitage LayoutArriving at the base of Mt. Geumsan, which is apart of Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, you’ll need to pay the 2,000 won entrance fee to the national park to gain access to Boriam Hermitage. After paying the Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park entry fee, there are three ways to get to the top of Mt. Geumsan. The first is that you can walk the nearly four kilometre trail up the mountain, which I don’t recommend. The second way you can get to the top of the mountain is by a shuttle bus. This shuttle bus leaves frequently from the base of Mt. Geumsan. The third way you can get to the top of Mt. Geumsan is by car, but you’ll probably need to wait in line until a parking spot opens up in the limited parking lot spaces for Boriam Hermitage. If you do in fact drive to Boriam Hermitage, I recommend getting there early to avoid the lines.
After finally getting to the top of Mt. Geumsan, you’ll pass by the ticket booth at Boriam Hermitage. Entry to the hermitage is a very reasonable 1,000 won. The hike from this booth to the main hermitage grounds is a beautiful one kilometre hike. Boriam Hermitage is very popular, so just follow the crowds to make sure you don’t get lost. Along the way, you’ll catch glimpses of the South Sea off in the distance. This view is what makes Boriam Hermitage so famous and popular.
Finally nearing the hermitage grounds, you’ll come to a second parking lot. This smaller parking lot houses a convenience store. It’s also from this second parking lot that you’ll finally get a clear view of the South Sea and the tiny islands that dot the horizon. The view is breath-taking.
A little further up the trail, and at a fork in the trail, you’ll need to turn left. Descending down a large set of stairs, you’ll finally be in the compact hermitage grounds. To your immediate left, and past the hermitage’s administration office, is the Manbul-jeon Hall (10,000 Buddhas Hall). Inside this temple shrine hall, as the name kind of alludes to, are ten thousand Seokgamoni-bul (Historical Buddha) statuettes. These statuettes line all of the interior walls to the Manbul-jeon Hall. And sitting in the centre of the main altar triad is a larger sized statue of Seokgamoni-bul. It’s from out in front of the Manbul-jeon Hall that you get, arguably, the most impressive view of the South Sea from Boriam Hermitage.
Stepping into the centre of the hermitage courtyard, you’ll be flanked by the Wontong-jeon Hall to your right and an observation hall to your left. Both are fairly long in length. Surrounding the Wontong-jeon main hall are paintings of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). And sitting all alone on the main altar inside the Wontong-jeon Hall is a diminutive statue of Gwanseeum-bosal on a red silk pillow.
Behind the Wontong-jeon Hall, and up a steep set of stone stairs, is the temple’s Sanshin-gak Hall. Inside this rather plain shaman shrine hall is a beautiful painting dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). The main highlight to this painting is the uniquely painted tiger that peers around the side of the Mountain Spirit.
To the left of the Wontong-jeon Hall is the Jong-ru (Bell Pavilion). And the final area that visitors can explore at Boriam Hermitage is down a flight of stairs next to the Jong-ru. Down these stairs, and up a smaller set, is a ledge that houses a tall, slender statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. This stone statue looks serenely out onto the sea. And to the statue’s right is the aforementioned three-story pagoda. Like from the Manbul-jeon Hall, there are some breath-taking views of the South Sea from here.
How To Get ThereFrom the Namhae bus terminal, which is called “Namhae Gongyong Terminal – 남해공용터미널,” you’ll need to catch a taxi to get to Boriam Hermitage. The ride should last about twenty-five minutes, or 16.1 k.m., and it’ll cost you 20,000 won one way.
Overall Rating: 8/10
While the hermitage buildings aren’t the most impressive that you’ll see at a Korean Buddhist temple, this is more than made up for by the spectacular views from the heights of Boriam Hermitage. The views from the standing Gwanseeum-bosal statue and the Manbul-jeon Hall have the greatest vistas of the South Sea. Truly, the neighbouring landscape is second-to-none; and arguably, the most beautiful that you’ll find at a Korean temple or hermitage for that matter.
The amazing view as you first approach Boriam Hermitage.
The first sign of the hermitage grounds as you approach.
The view with the observation hall at Boriam Hermitage.
One of the most beautiful views at Boriam Hermitage.
Inside the Manbul-jeon Hall. It’s from just outside this hall that you get the most amazing view.
The main altar inside the Wontong-jeon Hall.
The spectacular view from the Sanshin-gak Hall.
The stone statue of Gwanseeum-bosal alongside the three-story pagoda from the founding myth.
A look up at the observation hall at Boriam Hermitage.
A better look at Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion).
field_vote: 0 Your rating: NoneBilly Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #92: It’s For You
In this lesson we'll learn about the grammar forms 위해(서) and 위한 - and we'll learn how to use it with both verbs and nouns.
We're up to lesson 92, and the final episode in this series will be 100.
Remember that this course goes in order, so start from the very beginning if you're new to this series. Everything builds upon the previous lessons and goes in order.
The post Billy Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #92: It’s For You appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.
field_vote: 0 Your rating: NoneBilly Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #92: It’s For You
In this lesson we'll learn about the grammar forms 위해(서) and 위한 - and we'll learn how to use it with both verbs and nouns.
We're up to lesson 92, and the final episode in this series will be 100.
Remember that this course goes in order, so start from the very beginning if you're new to this series. Everything builds upon the previous lessons and goes in order.
The post Billy Go’s Beginner Korean Course | #92: It’s For You appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.
field_vote: 0 Your rating: None