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Start
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Gaepyeong Hanok Village
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Josaenzip
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Sangrim Park
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Hamiang Wine Valley
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Anui Wonjo Galbee restaurant
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Odojae
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Seoamjeong Temple
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Maum Hotel
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Hyeon Restaurant
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Gwanghalluwon Garden
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Guryong Falls
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Silsangsa Temple
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Finish
While
Gyeongju has Seokguram Grotto, Hamyang has Seoamjeong Temple. It is
very small temple, but has amazing scenery. So it is called “the
second Seokguram Grotto”. It doesn't have historic or artistic
value as much as Seokguram Grotto, but it has so distinctive scenery.
The temple is close to Chilseon valley, one of the three main valleys
of Korea along with Cheonbuldong valley and Tamna valley. You can
visit there after following the sign for about 400 meters from the
forked road of Chuseong-ri.
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Seoamjeong temple is located in the deeper valley than I thought. It smelled bad when I drove by my old car over 11 years. You will find a small store with a parking lot after walking the curved mountain path. And then you will find the temple after walking about 200 meters.
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Seoamjeong temple doesn't have Iljumun Gate but stone monuments on both sides. Some words are written on them. “The water tastes the same as a number of rivers flow into the sea.” I think it means that all people are the same to Buddha.
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The words are written on the backside of the stone monuments. “All things look different, but they are all the same.” I think the meaning of the words are similar. Anyways, I am going to go inside.
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I thought that there were a lot of stones in the mountain. People in the past would build the temple with rocks as they had no choice.
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Usually, Iljumun gate, the Four Devas gate or Haetalmun gate is erected in a royal palace. But the royal palace here is made of huge stones. The rock has been carved on the rock instead of Fourguardian statues. It is so interesting.
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I
saw a small child statue that was located in the cave after passing
Fourguardian statues. The word is written, “Welcome. This is the
rest area.” Even though Buddhism culture is based on Chinese
characters, it would be much easier to read if it is written in
Korean.
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Wow!
What is this? The hole of the huge rock is the entrance, and it is
written “Daebanggwhangmun.” It means the huge gate. You would go
into the world of Hwaom after passing the gate. There is usually
Burimun Gate in other temples. Oh, there is a signboard written
“Birogoong” above it. Haven't I talked about this? “Biro”
means “Birojana”, the name of Sakyamuni. So it is the royal
palace of Sakyamuni.
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I
have been to hundreds of Buddhist temples in Korea so far. But I have
never seen so distinctive temple like this. There are rock, and stone
Buddhas every where. It is so mysterious as the temple is in the deep
part of Jirisan mountain.
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Daeungjeon
hall is shining as if it was built a couple of years ago. The roof
looks so extraordinary. Daeungjeon hall of Songgwangsa temple has
been the only “亞”
shaped
wooden architecture in Korea, but Daeungjeon hall was established
with “亞”
shaped
a few years ago. There are only two temples with “亞”
shaped
Daeungjeon hall. Jo Nam-chil built it.
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The
private house for monks has been well established on the hill of a
rocky mountain. They can improve their mind while appreciating the
wonderful scenery of Jirisan mountain. That is amazing!
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The
wall is made of stones, and there is a pond below it. I can't believe
that Korea has such a beautiful temple like this.
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Buddhist
sanctuary in the stone cave has been established on the pond. This is
the hall of Paradise. Amitabha and Buddhist priest have been carved
on the wall of the cave. It is astounding.
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There
is a statue of the Buddha on the right side of the hall of Paradise.
And mineral water is flowing on the liquor bottle. I will go ahead
after drinking a cup of mineral water.
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There
are cave Buddhist sanctums every where in the temple. It is not
allowed to enter it. I think it is the place for monks. They would
devote themselves to religion in the nature.
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I
think this is the place for the Dragon King. Did one sculptor carve
them? I wonder how long it took for making this. Some temples have
the places for the Dragon King, but others don't. Usually there is a
sculpture or a painting in Buddhist sanctuary. I have never seen that
there is the place for the Dragon King in the deep forest.
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You
will find Birojeon Hall after walking along the door written
“Gwangmyeongwoondae”. I wonder what sculpture works would be here.
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Wow! It is awesome! There are two Dragon Kings on the narrow stone stairs on the left. And there is wonderful Vairocana Buddha on the huge rock on the right. That is picturesque. They would be national treasures hundreds years after. Why don't you visit Seoamjeongsa if you want to look around an extraordinary temple. You would feel as if you were in the art galley.
+ Address: Chuseong-ri mountain 15, Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+ Contact information: 055-962-5662
+ Admission fee, parking fee: free
Address: 경남 함양군 마천면 추성리 산15 / 대한민국 경상남도 함양군 마천면 추성리 279-1
