Picking up where I left off in my South Korea travel post series, particularly on Jeju Island. After my Siem Reap series, which focused primarily on tombs/temples, I apologize for – yet again – talking about another temple. I’m talking about the Yakcheonsa Temple of Seogwipo City in Jeju.
We didn’t know it then when we stumbled on this site, but Yakcheonsa Temple is the largest temple in the East, with a total area of 3,305 sq m and a height of 30m.
This “small” temple, which rose from the anti-Japanese movement period, contains the wooden statue of Birojana Buddha, which also happens to be the biggest in Korea, measuring 340cm wide and 480cm high).
We entered the Temple area from the west side, where the parking area was. It was already close to 5pm at the time, so we heard the sound of gongs/drums for the afternoon prayer. What struck us right off the bat was the serenity of the place. The sound of chanting in the air was sooo soothing.
In the pic below, you can catch a glimpse of a structure. This houses a Dragon Drum, which is the one producing the sound we were hearing accompanying the chanting/prayer.
This is a view of the temple the moment you reach the end of the drive/path.
A look at the Main Temple from the stairs at the front (where visitors are supposed to enter from).
Did you notice anything?
Yep. The paths are lined with elephants. They may all look the same, but on closer inspection, you’ll find that there are subtle differences. Like one has a longer tail, the other has a curly one… you get the picture.
Taking photos inside the Main Temple is strictly prohibited. Bummer.
But you can make your offerings by lighting a candle.
Dragon banisters. So badass. LOVE.
And, of course, just as most of the other places visited, there was a drinking area, and it is located on the right side of the main temple, right beside stairs leading somewhere.
Taking the flight of stone stairs will lead us to….
This is the Sarira Pagoda. There was a bit of instruction on how one should go about praying, going around the four sides of the structure.
Beside it is this small Buddhist shrine. Can you spot it above?
While walking along, we also passed by these grapefruit trees, or the famous Jeju Hallabongs. We were sorely tempted to pick some, but seeing the fallen fruits on the ground, we remembered we were at a temple. LOL.
This is a view of the temple from the northeast.
And then we came on to the Gulbeopdang, or the Dharma Hall.
Dharma Hall is basically built INSIDE a natural cave.
It was, all in all, a serene walk. The cave was discovered by us entirely by accident. We were just chilling out, walking around, not really caring where we go. We figured if we kept walking, we’ll wound up back at the parking area soon enough. There are clearly benefits to aimlessness, no?
Oh, I close this post by leaving you a pic of two (not so) helpful cuties that we stumbled upon when we stopped to ask for directions to a private restaurant (which we later found out closes early or something). Say HI!
Woof!
Next SoKor post: CHOCOLATES. YUM. See ya then!
