It was nie and interesting day. I left about twelve in the morning from home in saturday and then took a subway to Samseoung station. Actually is very funny because the temple is so close to the apartment and first i wanted to walk there. But at the end when i started to walk i understood it will take at least two hours and it was very hot weather outside. So i took subway from Hakdong station and then got lost and took wrong directions many times. But at least after two hours i was in the temple. Close to temple was Seoul World trade center and Coex mall. There is a big supermarket with cinemas and with many many shops.
The temple was fantastic, first arriving there you can feel how quiet there is and how peaceful you can feel. I walked around until i arrived to see big buddha statue.It is 23 meters tall and the statue has made believed to save all who are suffering.
SEOUL WORLD TRADE CENTER:
ARRIVING TO BONGEUNSA TEMPLE:
BONGEUNSA TEMPLE
Bongeunsa is a 1200 year old Buddhist temple in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 794 during the reign of King Wonseong by the monk Yeon-hoe, then the highest ranking monk of Silla, and originally named Kyongseoungsa. It is located on the slope of Sudo Mountain in Samseong-dong, across the street from the COEX Mall and Seoul World Trade Center.
During the Joseon dynasty, Budhhism in Korea was severely repressed. However, Bongeunsa was reconstructed in 1498 under the patronage of a Joseon Queen. With the support of Queen Mjoeong, who revived Buddhism in Korea for a short time in the mid-16th century, it became the main temple of the Korean seon (Zen) sect of Buddhism from 1551 through 1936. Monk Bo-wu was appointed head of the temple in 1548 by Queen Munjeong but was killed soon afterwards as the anti-Buddhist factions regained dominance in Korea towards the end of Queen Munjeong's rule. From 1552-1564 it was the center of the Buddhist National Exam.
A fire in 1939 destroyed most of the buildings, and other parts of the temple were destroyed during the Korean War. Fortunately, one of the very few halls which escaped destruction during the Korean War continues to hold the woodblock carvings of the Flower Garland Sutra, ë´‰completed in 1855 by monk Yoeung-ki. The temple has undergone many repairs and renovations, and is now once again a large, thriving complex. The reconstruction efforts are being waged even today.
The temple is also a notable tourist destination, offering a Temple Stay Program in which visitors can lead the life of a monk for a few hours.
