Sudeoksa Temple
Sudeoksa temple has a legend. Sudok gaksi, who was the incarnation of the Buddhist Goddness of Mercy, established it in Baekjae Period in Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do.
This is Deokssung Chongrim Sudeoksa temple. Chongrim means a university of Buddhism. It is like a leader which supervises about one hundred neighborhood temples. There were a lot of places to visit, but I decided not to do because this article features “Temple Stay”.
Like its name, the temple is large-scaled. It is really a leader. :-}
I don't know whose one this is. In the past, some people made an offering to Buddha by presenting umbilical cord of a King or authority, and prayed their well being. It maybe an umbilical cord of a King or crown prince. Why don't you find out the origin? :-)
This is Iljumun gate of Sudeoksa temple. Iljumun gate is a boundary between the world and temple. It lets people come into the world of truth. In the signboard of Iljumun gate, the name of the mountain is usually written. This is a careful concern for mountain spirit who guards the temple. When you pass Iljumun gate, you must put your hands and bow to Buddhist sanctuary.
After passing the Iljumun gate, I entered the gate of the Four Devas. The gate of the Four Devas of temples are not the same, because architect's individuality is reflected. Some people say finding out the difference is fun.
Someone left small presents in front of small Buddha. He or she may pray for something by offering these beads. But you can purchase them in the commercial district on the down side of the temple. I am happy that I can't find any coins. It could stain visitors' dignity. :-)
The big building guarding the main temple is Hwanghajeongnu, which has accommodations for monks and an auditorium. Each temple has its own personality. I heard that the reason why a passage connects the main temple with low buildings is to learn modesty. I thought the path connects this place and with this world.
If you pass Hwanghajeongnu, you can see splendid and sophisticated main temple of Sudeoksa. It is registered as 49th national treasure of Korea. As it is a large-scaled temple, there were a lot of visitors. But it was not crowded because there were not groups of visitors. The main temple is an old wooden building, and it looks different from buildings on the sides.
The calligraphic style of signboard is cute and ivy covering the mud wall makes cozy atmosphere. I am so calm down. Temple stay is usually run beyond the wall. But I couldn't take a picture because I was not permitted, and none of temple stay is operated. I will leave it up to your imagination. :-)
Like other temples, it has experiential style temple stay and rest style temple stay. “Pathless path”, which is experiential style, follows the routine of monks by having a Buddhist service and experiencing Zen meditation. Contrary to other temple stay, it is quite simple. I think that the temple is a university for monks, so does not run any particular programs. It just focuses on the main principal of Zen meditation and contemplation.
“It is a work without a work” is rest style temple stay. Its name is so fun.
You can make a reservation on the website, but it does not provide foreign language service.
Sudeoksa website
Contact information: 041-330-7789
Sudeoksa Temple road 79, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
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Fall Special #5 - Temple Stay:Sudeoksa Temple
