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[K-CINEFLEX] Ep9. The History of Korean Films and Audience_CINE STORY
Poroe – The Dragon that Adorns the Top of the Temple Bell: 포뢰
One of the most common things that you’ll see at a Korean Buddhist temple outside a pagoda or temple shrine hall is the Brahma Bell, which is a large, decorative bronze bell. The Brahma Bell, which is known as a “Beomjong – 범종” in Korean, is well-crafted and is usually several hundred years old. Typically, the exterior walls of the bell are adorned with various Buddhist figures like Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities), Bodhisattvas, and Buddhas. Joining these bell reliefs is a decorative metal hook that holds the bell to the rafter’s of the bell pavilion. The decorative metal hook that crowns the top of the bell is designed like a dragon. So why is this metal dragon hook crowning the top of the Brahma Bell? And why is it a dragon? First, it’s important to know the significance of the Brahma Bell to better understand the purpose behind the dragon hooks.
Poroe atop the Brahma Bell at Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. A golden Poroe atop the Brahma Bell at Taeansa Temple in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do. Purpose of the Brahma BellDuring the day, there are two main times that the Brahma Bell is struck. The temple bell is struck twenty-eight times in the morning and thirty-three times at night. The reason that the bell is struck twenty-eight times in the morning is in hopes that the sound will travel throughout the twenty-eight levels of heaven, which are to be found within three bigger worlds.
So in Buddhism, there’s believed to be three worlds/realms which are known as “Samgye – 삼계” in Korean. These three worlds are known as “Trailokya” in Sanskrit, and they are in reference to the destination of ones karmic rebirth. The first of these three worlds is known as “Kāmaloka” in Sanskrit. In Korean, this world is known as “Yokgye – 욕계,” or “Field of Desire” in English. In this world, it’s a world of desire which is typified by base desires. This world is populated by hellish beings, Agwi (Hungry Ghosts), animals, humans, and lower demi-gods.
The second world is known as “Rūpaloka” in Sanskrit. In Korean, this world is known as “Saekgye – 색계,” or “Field of Forms” in English. This is the world of forms, which is a world free of baser desires. This world is populated by Dhyāna (perfected mindfulness) dwelling beings.
The third world is known as “Arūpaloka” in Sanskrit. In Korean, this world is known as “Musaekgye – 무색계,” or “Field of Formlessness” in English. This is the world of formlessness. This world is populated by the four heavens. It’s also the world for those that are almost ready to enter Nirvana.
In these worlds of existence, those that live in them are determined according to their karma and wisdom. As for humans, they are separate. In order to enter into these realms, they need to adhere to the ten rules that ban things like killing, stealing, lying, obscenity, and adultery. So the reason that the bell rings thirty-three times at night is in hopes that the sound will travel throughout the thirty-three heavens located in Yokgye, or “The Field of Desires” in English.
The Bell of King Seongdeok, which is also known as the Emile Bell. Arguably Korea’s most famous bell is located at Gyeongju National Museum, and it’s National Treasure #29. Korean Brahma Bell DesignWhile each Korean temple bell is unique in its own way, they all have fairly common characteristics. For example, each bell has a dangjwa, which is the round spot in the middle of the bell where the striker is meant to hit the temple bell. Usually, a large wooden striker, sometimes designed as a whale, will hit the dangjwa of the temple bell. Interestingly, bells made during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) had two dangjwa on opposite sides of the bell. The Silla dangjwa was traditionally surrounded by a lotus design. Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) dangjwa, on the other hand, were placed on all four sides of the Brahma Bell.
Another feature that distinguishes one Brahma Bell from the other is the actual exterior wall designs of the temple bell. For Silla Dynasty bells, it was typical to find Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities) with flowing clothes kneeling on top of lotus flowers or riding clouds, while playing a musical instrument. During the Goryeo Dynasty, this changed. Instead of Bicheon, it was more common to find a Buddha or Bodhisattva sitting on top of a lotus flower. And in the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), larger images of the Buddha appeared praying while standing on top a lotus flower.
Yet another indicator of the age of the Brahma Bell outside the central image or images on the surface of the bell are the secondary designs. If the Brahma Bell is from the Silla Dynasty, the secondary designs were either vines or floral patterns. This largely changed during the Goryeo Dynasty, when lightning and chrysanthemum designs became more popular. And finally, during the Joseon Dynasty, the predominant secondary designs were lotus flower patterns.
The Brahma Bell at Baeknyulsa Temple in Gyeongju. The bell depicts the events surrounding the adoption of Buddhism in the Silla Kingdom and Ichadon’s (501-527 A.D.) role. Poroe Design and MythSo what does all this have to do with Poroe? In general, there are metal hooks that hold the Brahma Bell to the rafters using a chain. These hooks are shaped like a dragon. This dragon can be highly ornate in design or a little more simplistic. As a result, these metal hooks are known as the “dragon hook” in English. More specifically, the dragon that adorns the top of a Korean Brahma Bell is known as “Poroe – 포뢰” in Korean.
So why does Poroe adorn the top of the Brahma Bell? Poroe, rather interestingly, is mentioned in the historic Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). According to this myth, Poroe is a mythological dragon that’s afraid of whales in the East Sea. So whenever Poroe encounters a whale, Poroe let’s out a large scream. So what exactly does this have to do with a Korean temple bell, you might be asking yourself? Well, if you look at the wooden striker that hits the bell, traditionally, these wooden strikers were whale-shaped. While not as common these days, they can still be found at some Korean Buddhist temples. So when the whale-shaped striker hits the Brahma Bell, coming close in contact with Poroe atop the temple bell, Poroe lets out a loud scream. This helps the bell, according to the Poroe myth, to sound even louder. In Korean, that’s why the sound that a bell makes is known as a “whale sound.” And rather uniquely, Poroe is exclusive to Korean Brahma Bells. You won’t find this mythological dragon adorning the tops of Buddhist temple bells in neighbouring China or Japan.
Poroe atop the Brahma Bell at Eunhaesa Temple in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Poroe atop the Brahma Bell at Samgwangsa Temple in Busanjin-gu, Busan. Poroe atop the Brahma Bell at Dorimsa Temple in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do. ConclusionSo the next time you’re at a Korean Buddhist temple, take a look around the temple grounds for the Jong-ru (Bell Pavilion). Whether it’s big or small, the temple should have a Brahma Bell. Not only will you now better understand the overall design of the Brahma Bell, but you’ll now better understand the cetaphobia dragon that adorns the top of this bell: Poroe – The Dragon that Adorns the Top of the Temple Bell
[Radio] #2 Food
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아/어/etc. 다가 Changing Locations | Live Class Abridged
Have you heard of the ~아/어/etc. 다가 form before? This form is not the same as the regular ~다가 form, nor is it the ~다가는 form I taught previously. It's also not ~에다가, which can attach to nouns. And finally it's not the same as ~ㅆ다가 which I also explain in this live stream.
~아/어/etc. 다가 is an advanced level grammar form that's used to show that two actions happen in order, that both actions happen in different locations, and that an object is moved from one location to the next one.
The post 아/어/etc. 다가 Changing Locations | Live Class Abridged appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.
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[Radio] #2 Food
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Food in Korean – Top Dishes and Beverage Names
Korean cuisine is filled with many kinds of delicious foods which makes learning food in Korean crucial. The types of food you can find in Korea are so vast that every experience you have from street food to eating Korean dishes and delicacies in a restaurant is all worthwhile. In fact, we already have a post dedicated to introducing you to Korean food.
But in this article, we will be learning the different Korean terms for food – as in what the different vocabulary for different vegetables, fruits, noodles, etc. is. This will be crucial when you are in South Korea especially if you plan to shop for groceries at the supermarket! Let’s begin!
Food in KoreanFirst things first, let’s learn the Korean word for food: 음식 (eumsik). It simply means food in general and is the big term you’ll want to use when you speak of your country’s cuisine.
Another Korean word for food is 밥 (bap). Now, this word actually means “rice”, just like in 비빔밥 (bibimbap), so you don’t want to use it the same way as 음식. However, a common conversation topic of Koreans is asking others whether they’ve yet eaten, and it’s the word 밥 that is typically used in that situation. That is, of course, because rice is a staple food item in Korean cuisine, found on the table during nearly every meal, including breakfast. In South Korea, when you are thanking for a well-done meal, you’ll also use the word 밥.
But now, without further ado, let’s get to learning the food vocabulary in Korean!
Vegetables in KoreanThese healthy vegetables are essential in Korean cuisine and can be used in different Korean dishes especially in soup, stew, stir-fried dishes, and noodles.
KoreanEnglish 양파 (yangpa)Onion 마늘 (maneul)Garlic봄양파 (bomyangpa)Scallion 당근 (dangeunCarrot 무 (mu)Radish
양배추 (yangbaechu)(Chinese) Cabbage 상추 (sangchu)Lettuce 고추 (gochu)
Red Pepper
피망 (pimang)Bell Pepper 생강 (saenggang)Ginger 인삼, 진생 (insam, jinsaeng)Ginseng 브로콜리 (beurokolli)Broccoli 버섯 (beoseot)
Mushroom 감자 (gamja)Potato 고구마 (goguma)Sweet Potato 가지 (gaji)Eggplant 애호박 (aehobak)Zucchini 호박 (hobak)Pumpkin 시금치 (sigeumchi)Spinach 콩나물 (kongnamul)Bean Sprouts 연근 (yeongeun)
Lotus Root 파 (pa)Green Onion 토마토 (tomato)Tomato 오이 (oi)Cucumber
청경채 (cheonggyeongchae)Bok Choy 꽃양배추 (kkochyangbaechu)Cauliflower 완두콩 (wandukong)
Pea 파슬리 (paseulli)
Parsley 비트 (biteu)Beetroot 셀러리 (selleori)Celery
아스파라거스 (aseuparageoseu)Asparagus 콘 (kon)Corn
콩 (kong)Beans
Cabbage in Korean
Cabbage in Korean is 양배추. This is the main ingredient for the popular Korean side dish called Kimchi. It’s made of cabbage and chili powder. However, kimchi isn’t limited to cabbage.
Scallion in Korean
The Korean term for scallion is 봄양파 (bomyangpa). This is used alongside seafood to create the famous dish 해물파전 (haemul pajeon) which is a savory pancake. This vegetable is also similar to green onions which translate to 파 (pa) in Korean.
Fruits in KoreanThis list shows Korean words for healthy foods that can be enjoyed as is or can be made into something even better.
KoreanEnglish 망고 (manggo)Mango 포도 (podo)Grape 복숭아 (boksunga)Peach 바나나 (banana)Banana 오렌지 (orenji)Orange 한라봉 (hallabong)Jeju Orange 파파야 (papaya)Papaya 사과 (sagwa)Apple 수박 (subak)Watermelon 파인애플 (painaepeul)Pineapple 멜론 (mellon)Melon 감 (gam)Persimmon 석류 (seongnyu)Pomegranate 딸기 (ddalgi)Strawberry 자몽 (jamong)Grapefruit 자두 (jadu)Plum 산딸기 (sanddalgi)Raspberry 귤 (gyul)Mandarin, TangerineBanana in Korean
This is very easy to remember as the Korean term for banana is also 바나나 (banana).
For even more vegetable and fruit vocabulary, we have an article solely dedicated to them right here!
Meat in KoreanMeat in Korean is 고기 (gogi). These are used as the main ingredient for plenty of food that Koreans and people all around the globe enjoy.
KoreanEnglish 소고기 (sogogi)Beef 돼지고기 (dwaejigogi)Pork 닭고기 (dalgogi)Chicken 물고기 (mulgogi)Fish 오리고기 (origogi)
Duck 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal)Pork Belly 불고기 (bulgogi)
Marinated Beef Slices 스테이크 (seuteikeu)Steak 베이컨 (beikeon)Bacon 햄 (haem)
Ham 닭갈비 (dakgalbi)Chicken Ribs 두부 (dubu)Tofu 계란 (gyeran)Eggs 치즈 (chijeu)Cheese
Marinated Beef Slices in Korean
Marinated beef slices in Korean are called 불고기 (bulgogi). This meat is often served in barbecue places or can also be stir-fried.
Pork Belly in Korean
Pork belly in Korean is called 삼겹살 (samgyeopsal). These are pork strips which are also often grilled in Korean barbecue restaurants. You can eat it with rice, lettuce or side dishes like kimchi. Whichever flavor suits your palate!
For more vocabulary for the different meats and meat dishes, you can check out our article on meat in Korean!
Cooking Ingredients in KoreanEach ingredient on the list helps enhance the flavor of the dish that you plan to make to match your palate.
KoreanEnglish 밥 (bap)Rice 소금 (sogeum)Salt 후추 (huchu)Black Pepper 식초 (sikcho)Vinegar 간장 (ganjang)Soy Sauce 기름 (gireum)Oil 설탕 (seoltang)Sugar 밀가루 (milgaru)Flour 버터 (beoteo)Butter 케첩 (kecheop)Ketchup 마요네즈 (mayonejeu)Mayonnaise 중조 (jungjo)Baking Soda 베이킹파우더 (beikingpaudeo)Baking Powder 빵 (ppang)Bread 파스타 (paseuta)Pasta 꿀 (kkul)Honey 핫 소스 (hat soseu)Hot Sauce 시나몬 (sinamon)Cinnamon 고춧가루 (gochutgaru)Chili Powder 고추장 (gochujang)Chili Pepper Paste 해초 (haecho)Seaweed 참기름 (chamgireum)Sesame OilRice in Korean
Rice in Korean is 밥 (bap) and this staple food is an ingredient used in 비빔밥 (bibimbap). This dish means “mixed rice” where rice is mixed in a bowl with different ingredients. This may include vegetables, ground beef, seasoned seaweed, and sauce made from chili paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar. Oftentimes, you can top this with kimchi and fried egg too, depending on your variation!
Soy Sauce in Korean
This important ingredient is well-known and is essential in different cuisines around the world but in Korea, soy sauce is called 간장 (ganjang).
Chili Pepper Paste
The chili paste is part of most dishes cooked in Korea and is called 고추장 (gochujang). A red chili paste gives a dish its flavor and fiery color that is common in cuisines cooked by Koreans especially in soup or stew dishes.
Beverages in KoreanAnother important vocabulary to learn is what we usually pair with our food which is the beverages.
KoreanEnglish 물 (mul)Water 우유 (uyu)Milk 커피 (keopi)Coffee 차 (cha)Tea 주스 (juseu)Juice탄산음료 (tansaneumnyo)Soda 콜라 (kolla)Coca Cola 맥주 (maekju)Beer 소주 (soju)Soju 막걸리 (makgeolli)Rice Wine
Soju 소주 (soju)
This alcoholic beverage is a signature drink enjoyed by Koreans. It’s can be paired with anything, from fried chicken to Korean BBQ, to any various street food.
Types of Food Preparation in KoreanIn this section, we will teach you vocabulary that is based on the method with which a dish in Korea, from meat dishes to soup or stew types of dishes were prepared. These methods of cooking contribute to the variation of Korean dishes. You will usually find these words included in the name of the dish, just like in other languages.
Fried in Korean
The term for fried in Korean is 볶음 (bokkeum). For example 볶음밥 (bokkeumbap), which is fried rice. Another example is 제육볶음 (jeyuk bokkeum) which means stir-fried pork.
Stew in Korean
The word for stew in Korean is 찌개 (jjigae). For example 김치찌개 (kimchi jjigae), which is kimchi stew. Army Stew or 부대찌개 (budaejjigae) and 순두부찌개 (sundubu jjigae) are another known examples of a stew in South Korea.
Soup in Korean
For soup in Korean, there are two words. A bowl of these will surely keep you warm.
The first word is 국 (guk), which is a native Korean word and usually attached to dishes that are lighter and have a lot of vegetables, such as 미역국 (miyeokguk), which is seaweed soup.
The second word is 탕 (tang), which is a Sino-Korean word. These soups may be heavier and less watery, for example, 삼계탕 (samgyetang), which is a ginseng chicken soup made with a whole chicken. Another example is 설렁탕 (seolleongtang) also known as ox bone soup which is made from ox bones and other cuts. Boiling this soup for several hours creates a rich beef broth.
Noodles in Korean
There are different noodle dishes and we’ll show you three words for noodles in Korean.
The first word is 사리 (sari), which refers specifically to uncooked noodles. The native Korean word for noodles is 국수 (guksu), such as 칼국수 (kalguksu), which stands for handmade chopped noodles. The Sino-Korean word for noodles is 면 (myeon), such as 라면 (ramyeon), which means instant noodles or 냉면 (naengmyeon) which is made of cold buckwheat noodles. Otherwise, there is no big distinction when you use 국수 and 면.
Steamed in Korean
The word for steamed in Korean is 찜 (jjim). For example 찜닭 (jjimdal), which can be translated as both steamed chicken or braised chicken.
Roasted in Korean / Grilled in Korean
Although not exactly the same method of cooking, for both roasted and grilled dishes, we use the word 구이 (gui). For example, 조개구이 (jogaegui), which means roasted clams.
Side Dishes in Korean
As there are a variety of side dishes eaten at every meal in Korea, it is also good to learn the general term for a side dish in Korean, which is 반찬 (banchan). The most common side dish that you can find during meals is 김치 kimchi. There are plenty of other side dishes but some other examples are 해물파전 (haemul pajeon), sweet potatoes, fish cake, and mung bean sprout.
Raw in Korean
Some food in Korea is also eaten raw, and therefore it’s good to know this word as well. The word for it is 회 (hoe). For example, 육회 (yukhoe), which is raw beef.
Describing taste in KoreanWe already have a separate article to help you with ordering food in Korea, but we wanted to quickly go over some basic phrases and terms with which you can describe the food you are eating.
KoreanEnglish 쓴 맛 (sseun mat)Bitter taste매워요 (maewoyo)Spicy 두거워요 (dugeowoyo)
Hot 달콤해요 (dalkomhaeyo)Sweet 맛있어요 (masisseoyo)
Delicious 맛 없어요 (mat obseoyo)
Not good 맛이 풍부해요 (masi pungbuhaeyo)
Rich in flavor 새콤해요, 시큼해요 (saekomhaeyo, sikeumhaeyo)Sour 음식이 상했다 (eumsigi sanghaetda)It’s gone bad 즙이 많아요 (jeubi manayo)
Juicy 쫄깃쫄깃하다, 쫀득쫀득하다, 볼강볼강 (jjolgitjjolgithada, jjondeukjjondeukada, bolgangbolgang)Chewy
Wow, did this post make you massively hungry for Korean food? Because it sure made us! Hopefully, this was educational and will make your next meal a more exciting experience. Next up do read our article introducing specific dishes from Korean cuisine!
The post Food in Korean – Top Dishes and Beverage Names appeared first on 90 Day Korean®.
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Gokseong, Jeollanam-do)
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Temple HistoryGwaneumsa Temple in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do, not to be confused with the Gwaneumsa Temple on Jeju-do, is one of the more obscure major temples that you’ll find in Korea. Gwaneumsa Temple is named after the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal, and it’s located on the western foot of Mt. Seongdeoksan (646.6 m), which is named after a girl related to the origins of the temple (more on that soon). Gwaneumsa Temple is a sub-temple of the famed Hwaeomsa Temple of Gurye, Jeollanam-do.
Purportedly, Gwaneumsa Temple was founded in 300 A.D. This would make it one of the oldest temples on the Korean peninsula. Interestingly, and if true, the existence of Gwaneumsa Temple predates the adoption of Buddhism as the state religion in the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) by some eighty-four years, as the Baekje Kingdom wasn’t to accept Buddhism as a state religion until 384 A.D. The temple is known to have been founded by a laywoman of Baekje named Seongdeok, which means “virtuous saint” in Korean. This was done to enshrine a gilt-bronze statue of Gwanseeum-bosal that she found in the port of Nagan-po in present day Boseong, Jeollanam-do.
After it was established, there are no records about Gwaneumsa Temple during the Three Kingdoms of Korea (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.), Later Silla (668 – 935 A.D.), and the early part of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, by 1374, the Wontong-jeon Hall was restored. This was done through the support and finances of King Gongmin of Goryeo (r.1351-1374), who also ordered major renovations and expansion to the historic temple. In total, Gwaneumsa Temple has undergone five major renovations including this one during the late 14th century.
The entire temple was destroyed by fire, except the Wontong-jeon Hall, in 1597 during the second invasion of the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple underwent further reconstruction and rebuilding after this destruction in 1604. More recently, Master Yeongdam renovated and repaired Gwaneumsa Temple after it had been partially destroyed by fire in 1912. The temple suffered heavy damage during the Korean War (1950-53), losing almost all temple shrine halls including the famed Wontong-jeon Hall, which was Korean Treasure #273 and the gilt-bronze Gwanseeum-bosal statue that was Korean Treasure #214.
The current Wontong-jeon Hall was moved to its present location at Gwanseeum-bosal from Daeeunam Hermitage which survived the Korean War. And in the 1970s, thirteen buildings were added to the temple grounds through reconstruction. The excavation of the old Wontong-jeon Hall site was conducted in 2013. This resulted in the discovery of a bronze bell and a candlestick dating back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).
Temple MythAs one of the religious centres focusing on the worship of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) in Korea, Gwaneumsa Temple is connected to the popular “Tale of Sim Cheong.” The direct link to the “Tale of Sim Cheong” passes through “The History of Gwaneumsa Temple of Seongdeoksan Mountain in Okgwa-byeon.” It was written by Baek Mae-ja in 1729, and it contains a tale related to the origins of the temple. According to this tale, a girl named Won Hongjang, who was the daughter of a blind man, was offered to a Buddhist monk named Seonggong to ensure the success of a large religious project at Hongbeopsa Temple. She followed the monk to China, where she won the favor of the emperor of the Jin Dynasty (266-420). Eventually, she would marry the emperor of the Jin Dynasty. As empress, she continued to send Buddhist pagodas and images to her hometown in an effort to cure her homesickness. One such image, a gilt-bronze image of Gwanseeum-bosal arrived in her hometown. This statue was then discovered by a local girl of Okgwa named Seongdeok. She enshrined this image of Gwanseeum-bosal at the temple she later founded, which would be named Gwaneumsa Temple. The plot to this tale is very similar to the “Tale of Sim Cheong,” which is one of the most beloved traditional tales from Korea. In this story of Sim Cheong, she fulfills her filial duty to her blind father by sacrificing herself by diving into the water of Imdang-su to help her father regain his sight. Her filial piety allows her to be revived. Later, she would marry a king and eventually be reunited with her father. It would seem that the story of Seongdeok acted as the foundation for the “Tale of Sim Cheong.” So it would also seem that the “Tale of Sim Cheong” is a result of several different folk narratives being put together including the “Gwaneumsa yeongi seolhwa,” or “The Story about the Origin of Gwaneumsa Temple” in English.
Temple LayoutYou first approach Gwaneumsa Temple up a long, twisting, isolated country road past the Seongdeok Dam. You’ll first approach the temple from the west past a collection of administrative buildings. It’s finally around the corner of the Jongmuso (office) that you’ll find the Geukrak-jeon Hall at Gwaneumsa Temple. The exterior walls to the Geukrak-jeon Hall are adorned with a fading collection of Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). Stepping inside the Geukrak-jeon Hall, you’ll find a solitary statue of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) taking up residence on the main altar. This image of Amita-bul is surrounded by a beautiful fiery nimbus. Surrounding this central image, and on dozens of shelving units, you’ll find tiny white figurines dedicated to the Buddha of the Western Paradise. To the right of the main altar, and on the far right wall, is a contemporary Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
To the right of the Geukrak-jeon Hall, and past the shrubbery and stone statues dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal and Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), is the foundation for the former Wontong-jeon Hall. All that remains of the Goryeo-era Wontong-jeon Hall is the faint outline of stones to the former foundation, as well as a set of stone stairs leading up to the once standing temple shrine hall. To the rear of the Wontong-jeon Hall is another set of stone stairs that now lead up to a newly grown forest. The location must have once housed temple shrine halls, but has now been reclaimed by Mother Nature.
And to the right of the former Wontong-jeon Hall is the transplanted Wontong-jeon Hall from Daeeunam Hermitage. The exterior walls to the new Wontong-jeon Hall has various Buddhist motif murals including an all-white image dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. The interior of this Wontong-jeon Hall is adorned with wall-to-wall murals that reach all the way up to the ceiling. They include such beautiful murals as white cranes, lotus flowers, and fowl. As for the main altar, it’s occupied by Gwanseeum-bosal, who wears an extremely ornate crown. On the far right wall hangs a congested Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). This mural is joined to the left by a simplistic mural dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), who, in turn, is joined by a zombie-eyed tiger. To the immediate right and left of the main altar are two murals. One is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars), while the other is dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). Interestingly, there’s the charred remains of a Buddha head that takes up residence on the main altar to the left of Gwanseeum-bosal. This, perhaps, is what remains of the former Wontong-jeon Hall.
And out in front of these temple shrine halls at Gwaneumsa Temple are a collection of structures. The first, and probably the spookiest of its kind that I’ve seen in Korea, is the Geumgangmun Gate. The exterior walls to this gate are stripped of colour, and when you step inside this entry gate you’ll be met by two ghost white statues of Geumgang-yeoksa (Vajra Warriors) with fierce expressions on their faces. To the left of the Geumgangmun Gate is the Jong-gak (Bell Pavilion). The wooden structure surrounds a mid-sized Brahma Bell. And the final temple structure visitors can explore at Gwaneumsa Temple is the Geumrang-gak Pavilion, which spans a slow moving stream.
How To Get ThereFrom the Gokseong Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to take the bus that says “Gokseong – Okgwa (곡성 – 옥과)” on it. After twenty-two stops, you’ll need to get off at the Okgwa Terminal (옥과 터미널). The bus ride will take about one hour. From the Okgwa Terminal, you’ll need to take another bus. This bus will say “Okgwa – Gwaneumsa (옥과 – 관음사)” on it. After fourteen stops, or forty-five minutes, you’ll need to get off at the Gwaneumsa stop. From where the bus lets you off, you’ll need to walk seven minutes, about five hundred metres, to get to Gwaneumsa Temple.
Overall Rating: 6.5/10So much about this temple’s lustre, tragically, is located in Gwaneumsa Temple’s past. All that made it so beautiful was destroyed in numerous wars and accidents including the gilt-bronze statue of Gwanseeum-bosal and the Wontong-jeon Hall. There are, however, still a few things to enjoy at the temple. For one, you can still see, and imagine, just how amazing Gwaneumsa Temple must have once been with the Wontong-jeon Hall site and the stone stairs that lead up to a well populated forest of trees. In addition to these sites, you can also enjoy the beautiful artwork that occupies both the Geukrak-jeon Hall and the current Wontong-jeon Hall, as well as the frightening Geumgangmun Gate and the stately Geumrang-gak Pavilion.
A look inside the Jong-gak Pavilion. The eerie Geumgangmun Gate at Gwaneumsa Temple. One of the frightful Geumgang-yeoksa (Vajra Warriors). The Geukrak-jeon Hall at Gwaneumsa Temple. A look inside the the Geukrak-jeon Hall. The stone steps to the former Wontong-jeon Hall. Where the historic Wontong-jeon Hall once stood. An early 20th century picture of the historic Wontong-jeon Hall (Courtesy of Bulgyo Shinmun). The flight of stairs to the rear of the former Wontong-jeon Hall near the present day Geukrak-jeon Hall. The current Wontong-jeon Hall. The colourful interior of the Wontong-jeon Hall. The Sanshin painting inside the Wontong-jeon Hall. Take a look at that tiger’s eyes! And the remains from the Wontong-jeon Hall fire.One Hanja every Korean learner should know 正 (한자) | Korean FAQ
I usually don't recommend that beginners learn Hanja (한자), as its benefits come mostly later on through vocabulary and making new words.
However, there are some exceptions. One of those is 正 (read as "정"). This character is useful even as a beginner, especially if you're going to be ordering food in a Korean restaurant. And fortunately it's very easy to read and fast to write with only 5 strokes.
The post One Hanja every Korean learner should know 正 (한자) | Korean FAQ appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.
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