Happy Birthday Buddha

It makes sense.  In America, we celebrate the birth of Jesus.  In Korea, they celebrate the birth of Buddha.  I am not quite sure what that entails for practitioners of the faith, but for me, it meant a day off work and a three day weekend.  I've never understood why so many of the figures in Buddhism are pudgy, because from what I know, the founder starved himself under a tree until he reached enlightenment and even afterwards didn't really indulge himself.  I digressed, but I did go to a temple to celebrate his birth.  To me, it seemed more like a family day than a religious ceremony, however, there were aspects or some kind of rites occurring.  On another side note, I think the temples make a poop ton of money on Buddha's big day.  We were lucky enough to learn how to bow properly to Buddha as well as how to meditate.  The same temple is actually going to do a 'temple stay' at the end of this month and I think Katrina and I are going to go.  Enough writing - here are the photos:

(Yep, he's got a few years on Jesus.  I do believe we were celebrating his 2556th birthday...)

 

(Some entertainment outside the temple.  There were a few stalls with food and beverages for sale.)

 

(Lots of lanterns up - perhaps it's similar to candles)

 

(The temple we went to was packed.  Here is what I mean when I said I think it was more of a family day.  A lot of families brought blankets to lounge on.)

 

 (Spenser checking out a little shrine)

(Spenser, myself, and Katrina enjoying our holiday)

 

(Again, with this picture and the last, you get a sense of the madness at the temple)

 

 (So, one way to make money, people donate it, and then their names are put on these tags hanging from the lotus lanterns)

 (A little bit of prayer and lots of Buddhas)

 (More lantern, more tags, more money and lots of people waiting in line for...)

(... this.  I have no clue what it is or what people did when they arrived at this little statue but it seemed to me to be the main event.  The only possible thing in my experience I could compare it to is communion; although, I have a feeling it is nothing like that.)

 

(A sea of lanterns...)

 

 (Liked this ornament...)

 (Myself and Katrina)

 (Again, no idea what this was, but it almost seemed like a wishing wall.  People would get Post-It notes from somewhere, write something on them, and then put it on this pillar.)

(Yep, those are all Post-It notes...)

 

(One of the major temple guardians...)

Bulguksa Temple - First Stop in Gyeongju

We recently had a 4 day weekend - long semester so they gave us a "semester break" at Avalon which was wonderful. For 3 of the days, Katrina, myself, and 3 other friends went down to Gyeongju. I've never been but heard great things - especially from the historical side of the province. It was home to one of the previous Korean dynasties and has quite a bit of history. I learned quite a bit on the trip and got some good shots. Our first stop after checking into our amazing pension was Bulguksa Temple. (For more information, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulguksa)

(Welcome to Bulguksa Temple, according to some, the 'oldest temple in Korea')

(It was a very serene and peaceful corner of the world)

(The actual temple itself - quite large)

(Katrina and I on the same bridge in the beautiful landscape photo above)

(This is strictly a new camera shot - wanted to try a different lens. I like it. It's cute.)


(Some Buddhist guardians along with their protector)


(Rockin' the dragon in one hand)

(Not sure why but I just loved the way this little shop looked)

(Sunset)

(This one particular plot/temple was reserved as the 'stone stacking' area. It's difficult to see but there were stones stacked upon each other everywhere.)

(Stones stacked on the roof, on the door, on a tree...)

(Along the wall, on tiles, on the ground... everywhere...)

(The lighting was interesting so I snapped a few photos)


(Just an idea of how far in the mountains you are)

(A farewell to Bulguksa Temple)

Yonggungsa

Our first full day in Busan we took the morning to go see Yonggungsa Temple. Katrina read a lot of great things about it and heard it was one of the few temples on the water in Korea. It was pretty easy to get to. The temple itself was amazing and I'm glad we decided to go. If you are a foreigner who enjoys going to temples in Korea, sadly you've come to realize that once you have seen one, you have seen them all. There is really not much difference in design or appearance, unlike my experiences in Japan. Although there was not much difference in the design of this temple as well, the location completely made up for it. It was truly a unique experience. I hope you enjoy the pictures below.

(After you get off the bus take a right then a left. This is the first sign you'll see to Yonggungsa)


(Not sure if this is a turtle or what. Anyway, next sign you'll see.)


(Katrina with some scary statues)


(12 zodiac creatures - well, not quite all of them, but some. They line the entrance and there is a tiny sculpture park on the way in.)


(Myself and the rat - go 1984)


(I wanted to kiss in this picture but Katrina thought it was scandalous...)


(Interesting Golden entrance of sorts. I must admit, there were quite a few gates to walk through.)


(First sighting)


(A bit of a better view of the temple)


(Soooo you see that tiny bowl in the middle of the second pond... I tried to throw a few coins in without much luck. This is from a bridge that leads to the main temple area.)


(Great shot Katrina. I like the dragon with temple in background. Can you see the little figurines close to the dragon?)


(Can you see the little Buddhist action figures now?)


(Ok, how about now? I'm not sure the custom behind this practice but they were selling this tiny dolls on the way in. I'm not sure if it's good luck or what. If you know, please enlighten me.)


(A few dragons' heads on the temple)


(Panoramic shot with Katrina's camera from the Goddess of Mercy. Mom, Dad, and Mimi - if you hit the Control button -Ctrl - this picture should come up in a new window, larger, so you can get a better view.)


(Kids praying in front of a giant, fat, golden Buddha)


(Katrina and her piggies)


(An awesome outcropping right on the ocean with a place to pray)


(Closer view with temple in the background. The gray blob to the left of the temple is the Goddess of Mercy.)


(Same picture, with me. You can also see the bridge where we threw money.)


(Goddess of Mercy watching over everything, up on the hill. Notice the stone figures in the background.)


(Stone figures with some more of the Buddhist action figures below them)


(Katrina getting her good luck as we left)

Directions to Yonggungsa: Take the 181 bus outside Haeundae Subway Station on the beach side of the station. I know there are a few other places to catch the 181 but I'm not quite sure where. Anyway, once you get on, there is a Yonggungsa stop so listen. I believe it took about 30 to 40 minutes to get there.