Bulguksa Temple -- Buddhist Temple Complex -- Facts, History, Construction

 Bulguksa Temple

The actual Bulguksa Temple, built on Mt. Tohamsan's wooden slopes in the 8th century CE at the very old Silla capital of Geumseong, was a Buddhist temple. After an awful fire, it today stands restored, except it is just a fraction of the original dimensions. The temple and close by Seokguram Grotto boasting its large, seated Buddha statue UNESCO has listed it as one of its World Heritage Sites.

The temple was erected on a previous foundation set at the time the Baekje kingdom ruled the territory. The main architect responsible for Bulguksa is originally credited with the name of Kim Dae-seong, the Chief Minister of the Unified Silla kingdom, ruling Korea from years 668 to 935 CE. Though the era saw much Buddhist architecture sweeping across Korea, Bulguksa is broadly considered as an exceptionally fine complex dedicated to Korea's official state religion.

Land of Buddha

The complex was designed in order to symbolize the land of Buddha, in other words, paradise. That is why there exist 3 main zones: Geungnakjeon, Birojeon, and Daeungjeon. These halls, built in stone and wood with tiled roofs, each is built upon a raised stone-made terrace.

This architectural beauty representing paradise, rises symmetrically and wonderfully from a real lotus lake, and is symbolically entered through two stone-made bridges and a big staircase, telling guests that they are exiting the earthly realm and now going into the holy domain of Buddha. 

The entry gate, called the Mauve Mist Gate, one approaches it via the staircase named "cloud bridge." Then the visitor has to climb a somewhat lower series of steps called Bridge of White Clouds and next an upper flight known as Bridge of Azure Clouds. In addition to the three big halls, today the complex houses floating pavilions as well as bedrooms for monks, for it operates as a monastery. 

The entire floor space of everything is estimated to be about 2,000 kan. In fact, the whole temple complex was regarded so big and constructed with unusually exact geometrical and mathematical planning that it took nearly 40 years to finish.

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Beomeosa Temple -- Origins, Colorful Legends, & 1300 + Years of History!

 Beomeosa Temple

Seated on the lovely slopes of Geumjeongsan mountain, Beomeosa Temple prevails with startling silence and tranquility, in spite of its nearness to Busan’s noise pollution. With superb mountain scenery, woodland, and hiking trails surrounding it, the temple is a popular site for several city dwellers. In addition, it’s only one out of three central temples in South Korea; the others include Tongdosa Temple and Haeinsa Temple. With a staggering history of more than 1,300 years, it’s easily Busan’s most significant temple, plus it has an important place within South Korean Buddhism's tradition.

Origins

In 678 C.E., Beomeosa Temple was established during the Silla dynasty. At that time, attempted assaults from Japan posed a high risk to King Munmu, when he was in his kingship's 18th year. After a very big group of soldiers tried to invade, the legend says, a mountain guardian spirit visited King Munmu, advising him to climb to the mountain peak and pray for 7 days so the god would give him sound advice on how to overcome the enemy. Desperate to attempt anything at this point of gravity, King Mumnu traveled together with a priest. Finally, with the god’s wise counsel, the king defeated the Japanese invaders. Overflowing with gratitude and bliss, the king ordered the priest to construct a temple as a token of thanks, and then Beomeosa Temple came into existence.

Another significant legend provides the temple its current name: at the mountain summit, sits a well holding clear, golden water that never goes dry. The well's magical properties were given to it several years ago by a golden fish which arrived floating from heaven on five-coloured clouds and adopted the water as its home. "Beom" means nirvana, then eo means fish, while sa means temple; Beomeosa’s name translates, more or less, to "Heavenly Fish Temple."

History

The 1592 Japanese invasion deeply hurt Beomeosa. Several of its structures became either ashes or just plain rubble, indicating that a lot of today's temple dates between 17^th and 18^th centuries. The temple’s 2nd gate is the exception, depicting 4 Heavenly Kings that repel evil spirits; it's also only a replica of the real gate, for acts of vandalism sadly meant that this gate had to be completely rebuilt in 2012.

Beomeosa’s monks are renowned for their skilled Sunmudo martial art methods. This ancient type of martial art is uniquely based on Seon-like Buddhism; Seon, or Sun, translates to "meditation." Moreover, its Japanese variation is Zen. The monks learned it as a sort of dynamic meditation. Before the temple’s untimely attacks in the 16^th century by the Japanese invasion, the monks were in the habit of utilizing Sunmudo techniques that included weapons like knives, swords, spears, and flinging stars, to ward off invaders. During the 1930s and 1940s, the Japanese again invaded the temple, but this occurred via underground resistance to the aggressor's occupation of Korea.

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Changdeokgung Palace -- #1 Residence for Many Kings -- Haunted?

Changdeokgung Palace

South Korea today provides the Changdeokgung Palace for tourists and locals alike as traces of the once ancient world, together with its colorful political and historical events. 

Historical Importance

The Changdeokgung Palace, or called “Palace of Prospering Value,” happens to be one of the genuine surviving 5 great palaces which were constructed during the eventful Joseon Dynasty. Since the time of its construction, many rulers have called it home and the palace itself has seen many changes from extensions to renovations until almost recently.

One weighty incident that impacted the Changdeokgung Palace was the Japanese forces invading back in 1592. Japanese soldiers burned the palace and five others to try to conquer South Korea. Being the heart of both commerce and politics in the capital, Seoul, King Gwanghaegun and King Seonjo re-constructed Changdeokgung Palace rather quickly. However, that one attack was only the beginning. It endured another fire and rebellion during that critical political period.

In spite of many renovations along with reconstructions, most, if not all, the Changdeokgung Palace retained its original design. In 1997, UNESCO gave it the high honor of becoming a World Heritage Site for both its unique history and architecture.

Tours

Due to its size in the surrounding area, scheduled tours could last up to 1.5 hours. You may receive a guided tour from the months of April to November most days but Mondays and Thursdays. Guided tours are now available in English.

  

Other Highlights 

1. Donhwamun Gate which is the biggest of all the palace gates constructed in 1412.
2. Injeongjeon Hall which is the palace’s throne ball, hosting important state affairs.
3. Huijeongdang Hall, which originally was intended to be the king’s actual bedchamber, was transformed into his workplace for managing state affairs. The room today boasts an ultra-modern interior, influenced by western nations.
4. Huwon Garden, which is a 78-acre garden, originally built only for the royal family. This vast parkland is now home to more than 26,000 specimens of fauna and flora. A few of the existing trees are believed to be about 3 centuries old.

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