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at Kohung Bay Breakwater [7/18/1999] |
Posing with my nephews [7/18/1999] |
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(Bongnyungsa Laymen's pilgrimage) |
at Sudoam-hermitage [6/27/1999] |
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Enshrined in this Taejokkwangjon of Sudoam-hermitage is a stone sedentary statue of Virocana Buddha or cosmic Buddha, an embodiment of Truth and knowledge. The facial features, stout shoulders and large body of the Virocana are typical of large Buddhas. There was a halo which is missing. The octagonal pedestal is decorated with lotus flower, ansang(a curved pattern) and devil-face designs. All these indicate that it is the work of the 9th century during the closing days of the Unified Shilla period (668-935). |
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[6/27/1999] |
at Chungamsa-temple |
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Chongamsa-temple was founded by the National Preceptor Toson in 859 (the 3rd year of king Honan) during the Unified Shilla Dynasty(668-935) and was reestablished by Monk Uiryong sometime in the middle of the Chosun Dynasty(1392-1910). It was rebuilt by Monk Hojong after entirely destroyed by fire in 1647 and by Monk Hwanu after burnt down again in 1782. It was closed down for a time and was subsequent rebuilt in 1897 by Monk Ung-un. The Great Hero's Hall, the main shrine, was reconstructed by Monk Daewoon in 1912 after it was burnt down the previous year. In the temple complex, there are Main Hall and the multi story stone pagoda and other hermitages including sudoam hermitage which preserves a lot of cultural assets and treasures. Now, chongam Buddhist Colledge exists in the temple, which is a Buddhist's monastery for Buddhist nuns for concentrating on cultivating their minds. |
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"Gold Fish" Ven. Manbong at his workshop |
[6/20/1999] |
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The tradition of Buddhist murals began in the caves of Ajanta, India and moved along the Silk Road where it has blossomed and radiated for over a thousand years from the sacred caves of Tunwhang. In the meantime, it was also carried across China to Korea, and the Korean tradition flourshed during the Koryo Dynasty (935~1392), during certain periods of the Choson Dynasty (1395~1910). The "Gold Fish" tradition seems to have begun sometime during the Koryo Dynasty when each village had its own temple and resident monk-artist. It is a distinctly Korean Buddhist art tradition.. According to Ven. Manbong, the traditional course of becoming a "Gold Fish", or professional Buddhist monk-artist, is a grueling one. It consists of doing 1000 tracings, 1000 drawings, and 1000 free-hand sketches of each of three categorical "cartoons", or line drawings -- in order, a king of Bardo, a Guardian, and a Bodhisattva. That's a total of 9000 copies, and this process alone takes at least ten years of unswerving effort. The title "Gold Fish" is also given to highly skilled, senior artist-monks who, although they may not have completed the entire course, are proficient in temple painting and can direct the 10-stage application of Tanchong to a temple. Traditionally, the course was accomanied by Sutra study at night for several years. In addition to mastering art skills, the course was traditionally - like chanting, meditation, and Bodhisattva action - a means of attaining enlightment. |
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at Bongwonsa-temple [6/20/1999] |
