We Vistited the Biggest, Bestest, and Mostest Popularist Buddhist Temple in Korea.... Bulgoksa (just outside Jyongju) AND The Mystic Seokguram Grotto

Bulgoksa was constructed during the Silla Dynasty in 528 A.D. It was commissioned by a King that had recently converted to Buddhism. The name Bulgoksa means "Temple of the Buddha Land". Bulgoksa (and Seokguram Grotto) are both UNESCO certified world heritage protected properties. The temple was build to symbolically and creatively represent the historical Buddha's sermon of the Lotus Sutra. Bulgoksa was overwhelming it was so big... it was so busy that it felt more like being downtown than being at a temple. On the other hand, Seokguram felt like we had left the hustle and bustle of this world...

From top to bottom:

1- This is a picture of Alissa and I in front of "Blue Cloud Bridge" and "White Cloud Bridge" leading up to "Purple Mist Gate". The staircases are symbolic of the bridge leading up to the mountain where the Lotus Sutra was first delivered. The gate has Taoist origins, once people go through the gate they enter a land of immortals.

2- This is Dapotap. It is the only pagoda that looks like this in the entire world. It is seen as an artistic and creative masterpiece. It represents an abstract pagoda described in the Lotus Sutra that appears to a Bodhisattva as he praises and gives witness to the truth of Buddha's sermon. It is also seen on the Korean 10 Won coins (equivalent to our penny).

3- Opposite Dapotop is Seokgatap which is a beautiful example of a 3 tiered pagoda. It represents the historical Buddha. The reason why 3 tiers are used is because the number three represents completeness and holiness. The odd numbers represents yang, above, high, respected, fortunate, and other positive attributes.

4&5- These are pictures of the temple building that was built around Seokguram Grotto. Seokguram is a cave on the top of a mountain that is completely 3 dimensionally carved out. In it is a Buddha image that is in prestige condition, surrounding it are the lesser Buddhas. It is said to be the best stone Buddha image in the world for it's old age, condition, and size.

Alissa and I weaved up the foggy, narrow mountain road on a shuttle bus that hogged the twisty asphalt, when the bus stopped we still had a 15 minute hike to the Grotto. As we approached Seokguram Grotto the mist from the clouds engulfed the building that surrounded the ancient cave. As we approached we could hear the faint chanting of a Buddhist monk that was cutting through the stillness. As we creeped closer to the small cave, the chanting got louder and louder. When we finally squeezed in, there was a pack of about 10 old Korean ladies prostrating to the elegantly carved Buddha housed inside. Everyone was silent as one middle aged monk dressed in a grey robe with a bright red sash spotted with large silver circles on it repeatedly hit a wood block with a stick and chanted blessings to the Buddha. The rhythmic sound of the wooden block reverberating in the small cave and the hypnotic sound of the monotone chanting completely overwhelmed Alissa and I.