HAEINSA TEMPLE - SOUTH KOREA

HAEINSA  TEMPLE 

The Temple of Haeinsa, on Mount Kaya, is home to the Tripitaka Koreana, the most complete collection of Buddhist texts, engraved on 81,350 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248. The buildings of Janghyeong Pangeon, which date from the 15th century, were constructed to house the woodblocks, which are also revered as exceptional works of art. as the oldest depository of the Tripitaka. 

They reveal as astonishing mastery of the invention and implementation of the conservation techniques used to preserve these woodblocks. The Temple of Haeinsa and the depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.

Bulguska Temple - Seokguram Grotto

BULGUSKA TEMPLE - SEOKGURAM GROTTO

Bulguska Temple, built in the 8th century on the slope of mount Tohamasan in Kyongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla Kingdom is an outstanding example of Korean architecture, the Seokguram Grotto contains a monumental statue of the Buddha looking at the sea in the Bhumisparsha Mudra. this stone buddha was built entirely by stacking granite pieces, with the surrounding portrayals of Gods, Bodhisattvas and disciples, all realistically and delicately sculpted in high and low relief. It is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the far east. The Temple of Bulguska and the Seokguram Grotto form a religious architectural complex of exceptional significance in South Korea.

BHUMISPARSHA MUDRA

Bhumisparsha Mudra

This Gesture signifies Gautama Buddha's call to the earth goddess to witness his enlightenment in Bodhgaya and his victory over temptation by Mara. In this gesture, the right elbow rests on the right thigh with fingers pointing palm downwards but usually not touching the ground. The left hand rests palm up in the Dhyana mudra position on the lap.

AVALOKITESHVARA

 

AVALOKITESHVARA BODHISATTVA 1000 ARMS

According to an old Tibetan tradition, the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara has a special relation with the people of Tibet. A Bodhisattva is a warrior or hero of enlightenment, a being who is on the path to Buddhahood. but in sense, Avalokiteshvara is even more than a Buddha. After attaining Buddhahood, he voluntarily returned to the way of a Bodhisattva in order to lead all beings to Buddhahood. Thus Avalokiteshvara is considered the manifestation of the selfless, unconditional compassion of the Buddha's.

In order to share the Buddhas teachings and relieve the suffering of followers. In many paintings and sculptures, Avalokiteshvara is shown in the typical garb of a Bodhisattva a prince like wearing robes, a crown and jewelry. Avalokiteshvara can be distinguished from other Bodhisattvas by the lotus he holds in one hand, symbolizing the potential in us all to attain enlightenment. He also typically wears a small image of Amitabha Buddha, in his crown representing his spiritual association with this particular Buddha.

THE FOUR MYTHICAL ANIMALS

 

TIGER, SNOW LION, GARUDA, DRAGON

The four mythical animals represent the sacred qualities and attitudes that Bodhisattvas develop on the path to enlightenment - qualities such as awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility and power.

PRAYER WHEEL

 

PRAYER WHEEL

Prayer wheels are very important objects for Buddhist practice. The inside of the prayer wheel is filled with chants printed on written paper and wrapped around a central spindle. Chants like "OM MANI PADME HUM" are also written on the outside of the wheel. Buddhists believe that, by turning the prayer wheels, their defilements of the Body, Speech and Mind, will be purified and that they will gain immeasurable merits.

Xuanzang - Chinese Buddhist Monk

JOURNEY TO THE WEST

TRANSLATION OF BUDDHIST SCRIPTURES

In the 7th century AD, the Chinese monk Xuanzang (Hiuen Tsang) set off an epic journey to India to study Buddhist Philosophy from the Indian masters. Travelling along the Silk Road, through the desolate wastes of the Gobi desert and the icy passes of Central Asia, braving blizzards and brigands, Xuanzang finally reached India, where his spirtual quest took him to Buddhist holy places and monasteries throughout the subcontinent.

By the time he returned to China eighteen years later, carrying with him nearly 600 scriptures which he translated from Sanskrit into Chinese, Xuanzang had covered an astonishing 10,000 miles. He also left a detailed record of his journey which remains a valuable source of historical information on the regions he travelled.