The Buddhist Temple ‘Ghak Won Sa’ for the Unification of Korean Peninsular

in #travel6 years ago

Korean peninsular was divided into 2 countries South and North after liberation from the colonial rule of the Japanese imperialist. The northern part of Korea was controlled by Soviet Army and the U.S. Army entered into the Southern part of Korea in 1945.

Naturally the communists seized the political power under the protection of Soviet Russia, on the contrary the southern part of Korea had experienced extreme confrontation between the Liberals and the Communists. At that time the U.S Army thought the Soviet Army as a their alliance.

The Southern part was finally succeeded in making a free government and the Northern part had built the communist government in1948. It meant that there existed 2 governments in one nation.

Korean Peninsular became a sacrifice goat of the Cold war. Stalin and Mao tried to seize the full control over the Korean peninsular. They ordered Kim Il Sung break a war on South Korea. At that time, the U.S. government declared that they would not protect South Korea and Taiwan.

With this news, Kim Il Sung attacked the South Korea in June 25th 1950. More than 2 million civilians were reported to be killed in this war. More than 10 million people separated with their family.
Finally the U.S. Army intervened and more than 35,000 American soldiers were killed in action.

All these sacrifices were the result of the declaration of the US government not to protect the South Korea and Taiwan. If the communists were succeeded in Korean War, next objective would be Taiwan.

Along with this historical background, the Unification became the most important homework to Korean.

Some day one of my colleague told me that there was the temple with a desire for the Unification of Korean Peninsular. So we decided to look around the temple.

It was a warm winter morning. It snowed the day before when we went over the temple.
This temple was located in Cheon An city, the middle area of South Korea.

The temple was very large. The main building was the biggest among the Buddhist building in Korea in my guess.
But what attracted me was not a magnificent scale but falling water from the eaves.

The snow melting water was falling. It was so beautiful. I tried to take the photos. But it was not so successful my camera lens was not to powerful to catch a moment of feeling. I need a better lens.

Anyway I entered into the main building and took some photos of Buddha statues and Drawings.

The main purpose of this visiting was looking at the biggest bronze Buddha statue in East Asia.

This statue has 15m heights.

How did they made this large bronze statue ?

It is said that this biggest bronze statue and the biggest main building were dedicated to Buddha for the Unification of Korean Peninsular.

I missed to tell the size of the main building.
But the photos below would explain how the size of this main building was.
The name of this thing is Yong chi meaning the teeth of dragon.
The size of Yong chi is about 2 or 3 times bigger than me

This Yong chi was put on the top corner of the roof.

I took some photos of the statue. You can estimate the size of the statue with people standing and praying.

I turned around the statue praying for the unification of Korean peninsular.

Up until now, I have been searching the old historical spots.

But that day, I realized that this day was also a part of history.

Moments become a history.

Sort:  
There are 2 pages
Pages

Wow, this is awesome Thank .you so much for the well written and informative post. Excellent pictures, too! You may be interested in this article on the main Buddhist temple complex in Seoul: https://steemit.com/travel/@raci/a-night-walk-in-the-bongeunsa-buddhist-temple-complex-an-oasis-of-serenity-in-the-busy-heart-of-seoul

thank you
that temple is near my apartment.
I'd like to post on that temple once more

How lucky you are to live in that area 😍 looking forward to more posts from you

I love all the minute details on those doors and windows. It's apparent that great attention and craftsmanship was poured in every nook and cranny of this temple. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for reading

These are great photos! So much work went into the detail of each structure. We take for granted how amazing and creative humans are. Thank you for taking the time to make such a cool blog!

Thank you so much

Binance registration is open

Signup Link

Incredible place to go & nice photos! thanks for sharing.

의미느 뒤로 두더라도
산사의 겨울은 정말 멋지네요
순간을 포착하느라 많은 노력이 들어갔을 텐데...
고맙습니다. 잘보고 갑니다.

감사합니다. ㅎㅎ

Amazing! I love seeing photos of beautiful temples. Thanks for sharing.

an intriguing post today, @slowwalker.

It seems that Korea is always at the mercy of foreign powers and the Korean people are always under a stage of siege.

Perhaps the recent overture from the North Koreans might eventually lead to easing tensions in your country - I certainly hope so.

I was able to discern the subtle lines of snow water melting from the roof and it did indeed look beautiful especially against the snowy background of the trees.

I agree with you - I have no idea how such a huge bronze Buddha statue could be cast - that in itself is a mystery.

I will join my prayers with yours for peace in the region. The Korean people deserve a respite from conflict and perhaps the time is near for that to occur. I sincerely pray that it does.

Have a good day, my friend.

@johnjgeddes ! So sweet of you bud... I mean now a days negativity is all around. There is always two faces of any issue we should also look at positive side. @slowwalker I Pray you guys to be success and happy.. #stay blessed man.. :)

thank you, @sohailahmad2525

You are welcome ! please support me also.. @johnjgeddes please..

Thanks for giving us an insight on this matter. I have never really known much about it. And don't worry about the lenses. To me the 4th photo of the temple is the best photo in this post!

Thank you for your pray.
I really wish peace in my country

Wow, this would be amazing in Steemit World Map , your pics are mesmerizing and crispy and the quality of your content is insane.

Consider adding it to the map and joining the contest I made that I hope to encourage more users to contribute to the map with.

Check it out.Steemit World Map Challenge #1 No losers!

Hope you read your comments, see this and decide to contribute because your work is amazing and would benefit the map greatly!

thank you for your tip

np, thanks for your vote, it's highly appreciated :)

These images reflect the traditions and culture of the State of Korea, in fact it is a wonderful country .Great picture I like that post following you

thank you so much

Korea is a nice developed country, when we see this historical buildings still exist and shining. this proves tat Life in Korea is amazing.
I wish a visit there will come very soon.
Cheers

Thank you so much

How the south and north of a nation could devide so far apart....?
It's a pity

Amazing pictures of a temple steeped in political and historical significance! Thank you for taking the immense effort to craft this excellent travel story. The splendour of the temple is amplified by the beautiful mountains in the background.

hahaha
Thank you

During the time of the Communist government in our country many churches were destroyed and Christianity was persecuted. Today In my country we are celebrating the Nativity of Christ, but when it was persecuted and for such a stumbling into prison. It is good that now there is no such thing.

Yes, we must keep our liberty

great photos
Korea is among the countries that I dream of visiting

Just imagine how the World would be if Patton had gotten his way and was allowed to kick the shit out of the Soviets.

Thank God for the intervention of the US army.. More souls would have been lost during the war

amazing post and pictures.. so much in the world what I didn't see yet.. the culture we had / have is massive..

Wow,it looks absolutely amazing!

very nice photography @slowwalker, i really like about your travel, and i will upvote and resteem, please visit my blog.

Usual wonderfull sharing...if i am not a student i will prepare my suitcase and go to korea :)) @slowwalker

Awesome article in future I hope to be in Russia and korea

So many amazing places to visit in your beautiful country.
Shared with my followwrs.

Thank you my friend

Interesting post, you are amazing my friend ..

Buddhism - a search for enlightenment without God. Most significant are the architectural characteristics of their temple. They usually inspire awe in the mi nds of tourists

I follow you hope you also follow me and upvote me thanks dear

Great story and great photos. i've been throughout Asia, but never to Korea. Makes me want to go. That temple is incredible.

You need to drop by Korea

I really do. This year Japan again...maybe next.

Thanks to the great photography for you to share such beautiful photos among us

Thank you so much

Nice story..

good post friends and interesting stories I will upvote and resteem. @slowwalker

"dedicated to Buddha for the Unification of Korean Peninsular."
i wish someday this to come true..i was not aware of the reasons for the division of the peninsula..but now i know..the Buddha has advised all his followers to spread the kindness..and this temple is working according to the Buddha's teachings to bring peace to the whole peninsula..i hope that day will dawn soon :)

thank you so much for your kindness

Oh my God. Thats good. I liked. The Buddhis Buddhis tamphel its wonderful.

thank you so much

Hi @slowwalker, Show Really Make Me Want Like You, Greeting From @gustyphoto

Mantap sekali saya menyukai nya..

Lovely travelog. I specially loved the way you connected the temple to its history.

So much life has been lost due to ideological and political differences between warring nations....

I am currently listening to the history of the first world war by Dan Carlin....

It numbs your mind when you try to fathom the scale of destruction that we as a race can unleash unto ourselves :-(

Yes it is the saddest thing

These images are breath taking. All the eyes are on Korea right now based on the upcoming meeting between the North and South/ it will really be news when if the North sends their athletes to Pyongchang for the olympics.

I really wish the progress between South and North

great post, never went to korea yet but it is on my globe :D

I will like it

its unbelievable........how could you?it is most popular temple,,,,,thanks for share......keep it up

thank you so much

Nice article.I like to visit Korea :0

A family is divided into two parts, and everyone expects to be a whole. read your article makes me feel your strong desire for unity of the peninsula.hope your wish can come true and the world will be peaceful forever. love country , love home. thanks for your wonderful sharing .

Thank you
the only thing what I want to is the peace

I really appreciate your posts, I love historical places.

Beautiful photography and good brief history on the development of the two nations.

Nic home

Great post and photos, I would like to visit Korea one day.

posting a very cool friend.
for tonight I need support from you friend.

There are 2 pages
Pages