PHROK09Songwangsa

Songgwangsa Temple is found in the hills west of Mt. Jogyesan. Well-known for being one of the three precious treasures in Buddhism, the Bulbo, Beopbo, and Seungbo. Songgwangsa Temple is a Seungbo temple, and Seungbo refers to those disciples who study the life of Buddha and practice his example. and this temple has produced many important monks in the history of Buddhism in Korea. Songgwangsa remains an important Buddhist university, and students come here from all over the world to study. Inside the temple, you can see the Daeungbojeon, the main Buddha Hall. To one side of the main building is the Jijangjeon, where they have a Buddha statue, and the Seungbojeon.

When I visited, the monastery was preparing for Buddha's birthday, 2009. Many colorful lanterns were being hung and food was being prepared for the monasteries inhabitants and guests. One of the Buddhist teachers offered me lunch and said that one could always have food at a Buddhist temple, if one asked for it. When we were admiring the great Buddha Hall, he also suggested, with a smile, that it was OK to bow toward Buddha. I spoke with one of the students, an American, second generation Korean from New York City, who had come to spend the next four years at the monastery to learn the pathway toward a Buddhist life.

There are three picture galleries on this page, the first one is of exterior views of the monastery, The second is of the surrounding landscape and bamboo forest. And, the third is of the interior courtyards, buildings, flowers, and of people inside the monastery, either as guests or as monks preparing food.

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Roadway to Temple

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Entrance (12)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior View, flowers

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, landscape approach to Temple

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Lanterns hanging over water

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Lanterns hanging over water (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Lanterns hanging over water (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Lanterns hanging over water (5)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Lanterns hanging over water (6)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Lanterns hanging over water (7)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Small Pavilion within its own walls (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Small Pavilion within its own walls (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Small Pavilion within its own walls

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Small Pavilion within its own walls (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Small Pavilion within its own walls (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, Small Pavilion within its own walls (5)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (6)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (8)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (9)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (17)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (18)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (19)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (20)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (22)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (23)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (24)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (25)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (7)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (33)

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior view, road toward the Bamboo Forest and the Mtn. Trail

Songgwangsa Temple, Exterior views (5)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Gate, 17C (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Gate, 17C (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Gate, 17C

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Gate, 17C (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Entrance Pavilion to the main courtyard with drums

Songgwangsa Temple, Entrance Pavilion to the main courtyard with drums (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Entrance Pavilion to the main courtyard with drums (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Entrance Pavilion to the main courtyard with drums (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Entrance Pavilion to the main courtyard with drums (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, (52), Little Buddhas

Songgwangsa Temple, (53), Fountain with Turtle

Songgwangsa Temple, (55) Detail of Doorway

Songgwangsa Temple, (58) Firetruck

Songgwangsa Temple, (140), Detail of Bamboo Wall

Songgwangsa Temple, decorations

Songgwangsa Temple, interior of small Pavilion (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, interior of small Pavilion

Songgwangsa Temple, interior of small Pavilion (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, interior of small Pavilion (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, interior of small Pavilion (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Hall & Courtyard and details

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Hall & Courtyard and details (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Hall & Courtyard and details (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Hall & Courtyard and details (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Hall & Courtyard and details (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Hall & Courtyard and details (5)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (5)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (6)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (7)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (8)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (9)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (10)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (11)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (12)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (13)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (14)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (15)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (16)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (17)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (18)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (19)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (20)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (21)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (22)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (23)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (24)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (25)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (26)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (27)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (28)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (29)

Songgwangsa Temple, Main Temple Grounds with Spring flowers (30)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (2)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (4)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (5)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (6)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (7)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (8)

Songgwangsa Temple, Preparing Food for Buddha's Birthday, 2009 (9)

Songgwangsa Temple, Small Pavilion with Lanterns (3)

Songgwangsa Temple, Small Pavilion with Lanterns

Songgwangsa Temple, Small Pavilion with Lanterns (1)

Songgwangsa Temple, Small Pavilion with Lanterns (2)