Monday, June 20, 2011

Bulguksa 불국사

 

Bulguksa Temple is a must see for anyone who visits Korea.  Bulguksa Temple is recognized as one of ten UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Korea.  The temple was built around 550 AD and in its heyday the temple premises contained 80 buildings.  Unfortunately, during Imjin War (1592-98) most of its buildings were burned down to the ground.  And again during the Korean War greater damage was caused to the temple.  The last of the restorations to the 24 buildings that exist on the Bulguksa Temple grounds today were completed in 1972 .  An abundance of national treasures of Korea are also located within Bulguksa . For more on Bulguksa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulguksa 

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The front gate

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Pond inside the temple vicinity

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Four guardians of heaven’s door

IMG_0085Geongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge)

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Dabotap - pagoda of many treasures

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Seokgatap in the background is also called Sakyamuni Pagoda or the Shadowless Pagoda

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Monks reciting the sutras

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One of the courtyards

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A window with a view

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Stone pagodas are known as 돌탑 (Doltap) in Korean and are made by stacking up stones.  There are several reasons why stone pagodas are constructed but one of  the main reasons people do it is to make wishes.

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Sweeping…

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At the end of the trip quench your thirst