© 2019 National Geographic Society. Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea; 프린트 ; faceBook; twitter; Seonamsa Temple. 9,274 people like this. The four peaks of Mount Hwangak provide the backdrop to the ornate 300- and 400-year-old buildings of the temple. The statue of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, is at the centre of the altar, flanked by the Medicine Buddha and the Infinite Buddha. According to Sangukyusa (Legends and History of Korea’s Three Kingdoms), Chief Commander Kim Ri-saeng and Sirang Yuseok were commanding the troops on the east side of the Nakdonggang River, under the orders of King Gojogn in 1235 (22nd year of King Gojong’s reign). But I feel invigorated both by the trek and the dado tea ceremony that follows. I’m deeply conscious of the fact that I find myself with nothing to wish for, nothing that I feel is lacking in my life. Watch Queue Queue. Participants also get a Q&A session with the head monk, in which they can discuss spirituality and the benefits of meditation. Korean Buddhist monks and nuns live, basically, as wanderers, not being attached to one particular monastery. After two days of eating a Buddhist monk’s diet, sleeping on hard floors, meditating, hiking and prostrating, I am entirely refreshed and lighter. About Seonamsa Temple. Archaeologists have discovered a unique hilltop monastery in eastern India. He tells us that later in the day we will be stringing 108 beads, which signify the 108 delusions that lead to human suffering; some of these are desire, wrath, contempt, and pride. There are engravings on traditional hanji paper, an intricately carved stone bell with a dragon-shaped clasp, and stunning paintings of guardian spirits whose forms combine human and animal features. They visited the temple and lifted the bell-shaped stupa from the stairway to pay respect to the sarira inside the stone case. You may have to call the listed number to follow up. Her hips rest comfortably on her heels and she retracts her arms so her palms are besides her ears, and turns them up to the ceiling. Introduction Natural Environment History Temple Layout Cultural Properties Information. bhikshu) and bhikkhuni (Skt. Meditation sessions are an important part of South Korea’s temple stay programmes. Monks chant as they walk around these structures in a clockwise direction to reaffirm their faith. Passionate about world cultures and cuisines, she also enjoys hiking and diving with her daughters. These mountain monasteries are sacred places and provide an exceptional testimony to their long and continuing traditions of Buddhist … I believe it is a unique cultural experience programme that will allow me to sample the country’s Buddhist cultural heritage. Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea - YouTube The Sansa are Buddhist mountain monasteries located throughout the southern provinces of the Korean Peninsula. It’s luxurious in comparison to most temple-stay schemes, where visitors share rooms with at least three other participants, and use communal showers and bathrooms. This illusion symbolises the singular path of enlightenment of Buddhist philosophy, the idea with which one must enter the temple. Tell us what you think at web.editor@natgeotraveller.in. The 11th or 12th century religious center is special because of its location and because it was headed by a Buddhist nun, who may have led an all-female group of renunciates in … On some days, the temple hosts special celebrations with music, chanting, and free meals for the poor. Hally lifts a pillow off a stack, sets it down before her feet. Getting There There are direct flights from New Delhi/Mumbai to Seoul on most days of the week. The Buddha’s birthday: 14 May, 2016 (the date changes every year according to the Chinese lunar calendar), Appeared in the March 2016 issue as “In A Monk’s Shoes”, The 108 yeomju (prayer beads) threading ritual is an essential part of the programme. Sumeru, the central mountain of the world according to Buddhist scriptures. To all the Sri Lankan … View of Seonamsa Temple; Situated in Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do Province, Seonamsa Temple is seated on the foothills of Jogyesan Mountain, one of the most scenic mountains … Programmes at different temples may run through the week, only on weekends, or on select weekends only. Some temples require one prostration for each bead strung, but Jikjisa takes a more casual approach. Whether that’s a result of the hours of meditation, or just being surrounded by this serenity, I cannot say, but it is an incredible feeling. She pulls up outside the elaborately carved gate of the Jikji temple, a monastery in Gimcheon, South Korea, where I am going to spend the next two days. We run through the schedule of services, I receive a seung bok (“chung-pok”), the saffron uniform that I must wear: a pair of baggy pants called paji, and a short, wide-sleeved working jacket calledchoksam, both stitched out of a coarse heavy fabric, that’s not warm enough for this weather. We join hands and bow at the waist, eyes on the golden triad on the altar, just as we’ve been taught. Photo courtesy Jikjisa Temple. Heavy make-up and outlandish clothes are not allowed at temples, and there’s a complete ban on cigarettes and alcohol (www.jikjisa.or.kr). Then she’s on her feet again, and presses the hapjang to her forehead and to her chest to complete one prostration. By late afternoon all the visitors to the temple have settled in, and get a quick tour of the halls before the evening rituals. The preparations contain neither onion nor garlic. Buddhist viharas or monasteries may be described as a residence for monks, a centre for religious work and meditation and a centre of Buddhist learning. The nominated temples are located in mountains, within relativelypristine natural settings. Buddhist monasticism is one of the earliest surviving forms of organized monasticism and one of the fundamental institutions of Buddhism.Monks and nuns, called bhikkhu (Pali, Skt. I have a mother temple, but my time has been spent in various Zen monasteries and a scripture-study monastery. Frequent buses connect the two cities (adults from KRW14,100/₹785, children from KRW7,050/₹390; duration 4-4.5 hr). Nestled amid pine forests, ancient hardwoods, and a pristine river, Jikjisa is one of the most picturesque of South Korea’s temples, with excellent trekking opportunities. Along the way, we learn about cause and effect, and about hatu, the ability to control the mind. 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