Danyang #5 - Guinsa - (Korea Tour)

| Holiday Journal

Last Modified : 2017/03/20

Travel regions : South Korea

| Hits : 1129799

https://blog.lookandwalk.com/en/blog/mazinguide/14/trackback

Start
Gosu Cave
Janghwinaru
Museum
Dodamsambong
Guinsa
Ondal Tourist Spot
Namcheon Valley
Yangbaek Waterfall
Finish

Second day at Bookbyek Pension

I woke up in the morning with sunshine through the windows. When I saw Namhan river, I could feel that it would be a very hot day with a little sea fog.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:18 09:49:32 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

Before I start my day, I went out quickly and threw a lure to catch a mandarin fish which is a specialty of Danyang.

After throwing many lures for 30 minutes, I finally got a big one.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 160 | 2013:08:17 08:47:07 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

This!!! I had no time to be mad, but to eat this and the chicken we bought last night and prepared for today's tour.

Guinsa 구인사

Today's first destination was Guinsa which was included in the "places in Korea which we should visit before we die." Guinsa is located 600m under Suribong which is No. 4 of the 8 Gubong. It's a big Buddhist temple.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:13:18 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

They built Cheontaejong museum in front of the parking lot, but it will open in August so I was not able to go inside during this trip. I was curious what would be displayed inside because the building was kinda big.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:58:39 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:19 11:28:48 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I planned to go until the top and got a map. The map for Guinsa looked simple, but the ways going to the top of the hill were all uphill roads.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:17:21 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

The first thing I saw was Beob-eo-bi (a Buddhist sermon statue). Actually, you would just pass by this when you take a bus because you will go down right under this statue or if you take a car, you will have to walk a bit to see this so don't just pass by it.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:17:07 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

At the back of Iljumun (first door to Buddhist temple), there is a nameplate which says "Sobaeksan Guinsa." It's just a start and after passing by this door, you start claiming.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:18:21 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

After a while, you'll see this building at your left. I was surprised to see this high building at the temple because as far as I have seen, normally there were only low-set buildings with a bit high roofs.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:25:08 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

It was actually an accommodation for temple stay. Strictly speaking, it was not one of internal structures of the temple.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:19:39 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

After claiming a bit more, I arrived at Cheongwangmun at last.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 500 | 2013:08:17 12:29:10 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 400 | 2013:08:17 12:29:33 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I'm not a Buddhist; nevertheless, I was supposed to enter the temple with a piety...

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:20:08 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

BUT there was no signal here!!! I couldn't believe there was a place like this nowadays. I just passed by Cheongwangmun....

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:21:15 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

First building after Cheongwangmun is the library within the precincts. It was really high. Most of the buildings were like this big and high. It did not look like a normal temple but more like a palace.

At the opposite side of the library, there was a ATM machine. At the back of this building, I got another stamp.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:24:26 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

It's still an uphill road to the fifth-high Buddhist sanctuary building. There is no downhill road here in Guinsa.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/3.2 | 2013:08:17 11:26:21 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 19.4mm

I was already sweating, but I could not give up because some old people like him above was also going up.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/3.2 | 2013:08:17 11:30:17 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 11.1mm

When you pass by Gwaneumjeon, you can see these Jangdokdae (platforms for crocks of sauces and condiments). Jangdokdae were all over the places. I could not predict how many Buddhists live here. I passed by the canteen during their meal time. During summer, their meal times are the followings: Breakfast (6:00-7:30), lunch (11:30-13:30), and dinner (19:30-22:00). I think I'm good in catching these information to not get hungry anywhere.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/3.2 | 2013:08:17 11:34:22 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 9.8mm

I met this little, cute child while going up to the top. She got the attention of people and compliments for her cute Buddhist monks' pants.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:35:04 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

After claiming for a long while, I arrived at Gwangmyengjeon building. It was the most grand and magnificent.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:35:39 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

My girlfriend was in shock for its dignified building. "Is this building up to 7th floor?"

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 400 | 2013:08:17 11:44:40 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I don't remember what floor it is. But inside Gwangmeyongdang, there is a huge Buddhist sanctuary which can accommodate up to 7,000 people. It's a two-storied sanctuary so it's even bigger than other auditoriums or concert halls.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 400 | 2013:08:17 11:44:05 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

It's very colorful. On the one side, there is a piano which looks inappropriate for Buddhist temple.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 400 | 2013:08:17 11:46:25 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

These are shoe shelves exclusive for Buddhist monks. It was really big.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 11:47:49 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

The building adjoins the mountain. So I went out to foot of mountain and at veranda (?) side, there was cold water (an offering to Buddha). I drank it and went to the 7th floor.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 11:48:28 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

Right after I reached the rooftop of Gwangmyengjeon, there was the most fancy building, Daejosajeon, which was located at the very inside. It looked like a fancy building in a Chinese drama, but the interesting point was in the internal structure.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 125 | 2013:08:17 11:51:42 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

That was the statue of Buddha inside the building. The Buddha was not a general Buddha rather it was a contemporary statue of Buddha with a contemporary Buddhist picture.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 11:50:32 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I was so curious so I asked a believer in Buddhism who passed by me. He said it's a building to serve Cheontaejong Jungheungjo Sangwolwongak who built this temple.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 11:52:05 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 11:50:01 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

After getting an answer to my question, I looked around and saw these two scary statues which protect right and left side of Daejosajeon. Now, it's time to go down.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 11:56:23 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

It's an artwork at a front yard of Daejosajeon. It was not that good. Actually, one thing that put me into a big shock was the elevator beside this artwork. I hardly went up to the 7th floor by stairs.....but there was an elevator....OMG....

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:01:25 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I went down using elevator and went to Cheontaeyeok-daejosajeon. They are the believers in Buddhism in the picture. Looking at this view of the temple made my eyes, ears, and mind clear and peaceful.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:07:28 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I arrived at Cheontaeyeok-daejosajeon after a while. There are sacred images of 17 people of Chinese Cheontaejong-josa and 18 people of Korean Cheontaejong-josa. You can't take a picture inside.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:07:12 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

Since I wasn't able to catch any fish this morning, I took a picture of the fish under the eaves.

KODAK DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA | f/2.8 | 2013:08:17 11:29:23 | Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode | 6.3mm

When I went down half way, I saw an overpass bridge connecting two high buildings. And at this time, I heard the Buddhist prayer of a Buddhist monk so I went around and looked for it.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:20:20 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

It was from Seolbeob-bojeon which is the core building of Guinsa. It's located in the first building you see when you enter Guinsa. It's built more on top and under the building.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 160 | 2013:08:17 12:17:55 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

There were many people inside and they were having a ceremony, but I didn't know what it was because I'm not a Buddhist. But I just watched and heard the peaceful voice of Buddhist monk and calm down. After that, I started to went down again.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:23:18 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

On the middle way to the temple, there was a tower. This tower is brought from Jetavana–Vihara in India. It's Jinsinsaritab which has Buddha's real small crystals. The foundation looked old because of three elephants, but the upper part looked very contemporary so it wasn't that good.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:23:23 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

Nonetheless, I was honored to be beside Buddha's small crystals. There was a drum made up of stones beside Saritab.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:23:38 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

At the stairs, there was this cute and scary thing. After looking around this tower, I almost finished watching Guinsa.

SHW-M440S | f/2.6 | iso 80 | 2013:08:17 12:30:02 | Flash did not fire. | 3.7mm

I reached the exit which is the same as the entrance. I lastly went up to Cheongwangmun and looked around. While going down, it was not hot compared to when I went up to Guinsa. After passing by the door, my phone finally got its signal and was working normally.

Map