A DAY IN THE LIFE

TONGDOSA

Meet Dr. Kim, an electrical engineer who, after retiring, decided to get a degree in Natural Medicine and Herbology. He spent the day with us, guiding us through Tongdosa, a little city where he practices medicine, and also volunteers part time at the Tongdosa Temple as a guide. Since Alma, our Buddhist friend from English class, is his friend we were lucky enough to have a personalized custom tour.

Tongdosa is the largest of all the temples in Korea, with 65 buildings making up the complex on the mountainside. During the 15th Century, it had hundreds of buildings, and housed thousands of monks.

The pathway leading to the temple is called "Pathway in the Forest of Dancing Trees".

 Dr. Kim explains some of the architectural features of this building.

 The roof tiles, the intricate detail of the woodwork, and the bright colors of paint are exquisite.

Stopping for refreshment is always part of the day. We keep listening and learning along the way.

All along the road, we see little stacks of rocks. People put them there to "make a wish".

Wishing and "Good Luck" are important concepts in the culture, maybe because of poverty, war, and hunger so prevalent in Korean history.

 Stone markers peek out behind trees as we walk toward the temple complex.

 Tongdosa does not have any statues of the Buddha outside,because it has stupas (pagodas) that house the real relics of the Buddha. Some of these are a robe, a bone, and a bowl belonging to the Buddha.

 The stupas take all different shapes. Some also contain relics of other monks.

Tongdosa was founded by the monk, Jajang, in 646 AD, after he returned from China with some relics of the Buddha.

 The bridge called "Three Stars and a Moon"

 

 The main gate to enter the temple complex.

I love the detail on the roof. Notice the dragons with the red ball in their mouths.