On the advice of the Fulbright expert on Korean Buddhism, we went in search of the large temple complex on the other side of the mountain from where we live. It ended up being a sprawling and very beautiful complex nestled up against the mountain. This is Bongwonsa, founded in 889 and then moved to its current location in 1748. There have been, over the centuries, a long list of fires and other misadventures including large scale destruction during the Korean War. So, many of these buildings are newer. Nevertheless, they are built in the incredible traditional style, and the overall impression is one of great beauty and peace up against the hill. It helped that it was such a nice spring day.



I really can't get enough of these roofs, they are just magnificent.




The main hall has 3000 Buddhas in it, which is quite a sight. They are lined up in ranks, with one quite large one.

You can't take interior pictures, but here is the south end of the main hall. It isn't much of a picture, the sun was glinting off of the painting on it and I meant to try to get a better shot but neglected to do it.




There are at least four other major buildings in the complex, and some others scattered in the hollow against the hill. We only got through some of them before the Lil Buddha made it eminently clear that it was time to move along.



Some of the buildings are freshly painted and some have faded. Both are beuatiful in their own way, and the contrast is interesting.



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