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Seoraksan National Park is a mountanous reserve 163.2 sq kms in area. It has many peaks over 1200 metres. Daecheongbong is the highest at 1708 metres. Though the park is popular in winter for sking, it is the the red of gold of autumn that attracts most visitors. The park is easily reached from Sokcho, on the Korean east coast, by taking the local Sokcho City Bus, Number 7 or 7-1 to the park entrance. |
Several hiking trials of various degrees of difficulty are laid out within the park. Many of the people in the park were dressed in trekking attire complete with walking poles.
The thought of returning someday for a prolonged trek did occur to me. But on the day of my visit I was content with a visit the Shinheungsa Temple, easily reached by walking along a short path.
Shinhenugsa Temple, originally built around 650AD, is the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Destroyed and rebuilt many times it is believed to be the oldest Zen temple in the world.
Near the path leading to the temple is a giant gilt-bronze Buddha called Tongil Daebul. Mounted on a granite terrace it weighs 108 tonnes and is 14.6 meters high. Sitting cross-legged in meditation upon a 4.3 meter high lotus pedestal, its hands are postioned in the mudra, symbolising an "enlightened one".
Sixteen panels are engraved on the pedestal. Amber stones with a single piece of jade in centre adorn Buddha's forehead. Flowing robes revealing the right shoulder drape Buddha's torso.
Continuing, I crossed the Hyeonsugyo bridge, a small bridge which crosses a ravine and enter the temple grounds by the Cheonwangmun Gate.
Inside the gate complex there are four heavenly Kings (Cheonwang), two on opposite sides. On the way in I take note of Damun with a lute and Jiguk with a sword.
Inside the main hall at the main altar, are three statues. The central one is Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). He is flanked on either side by two crowned Bodhisattvas, Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Power and Wisdom for Amita-bul).
From the temple court yard the cable car to the top of Seorak Mountain can be seen. I was hoping to go but the cable car was closed because of windy conditions.
Passing back through the Cheonwanmun gate I say hi to Jeungjang with his dragon and Gwangmok with his tower and make my way back to Sokcho on the local bus.