Number One Tourist Site in Korea: Bulguk-sa Temple

Today we ventured closer to western coast (Pacific Ocean) where we first met the Hyundai Heavy Industry Complex. What a site to see with all the huge ships being built. They explained and showed us how the ships are created, prepared and then how they become ready to launch. It's an impressive site. Over 51,000 people work at this location. The city was even designed to support it's workers and has housing, sports facilities, schools, and entertainment activities.
We also visited some important locations for the silk road which provides evidence of cultural diffusion. Goe Reung which is a burial ground similar to others from yesterday. Then we ventured to the number one tourist site in Korea: Bulguk-sa Temple (main temple) and Seokguram Grotto (natural retreat). They were both built simultaneously in 751 during the Unified Silla Period. However, they experienced destruction during Japanese occupation and then were rebuilt in 1973. The best part was the trip to the Grotto, we had to take a windy bus ride up the hill about 20 minutes and then once we reached the top we walked another 10-15 minutes through the peaceful wildness. We were now up in the fog! There is something about being completely surrounded by nature and in a place that is so quiet. I rarely find my self this quiet. In the quiet places all you can hear is the birds chirping and the water dripping from the rain filled leaves. It reminds how important it is to be still and quiet away from the noise of the city and craziness from the day to day routine. The time we spent there was a nice reminder for me to enjoy nature's beauty and remember how important it is to stop, be quiet, listen to the rain falling from the trees and realize how renewing it is to be surrounded by nature.

Goe Reung
Here is late Silla burial ground, but the stone statues are the most interesting part of the grounds. If you look carefully, you can see evidence of cultural diffusion. The figures reflects features like a lot facial hair that is not native to Korea.

Hyundai Heavy Industry Complex
Hyundai means Modern or New. The company was established in 1972 as a heavy industry shipyard, but now it has many divisions like ship building, off shore and engineering, construction equipment and Research and Development. Asan was the founder of the company. He was born to a farm family in 1915 in North Korea. He began his career as a rice deliveryman and moved to owning a rice shop. Then he wanted to get into the car industry so he purchased a repair shop to learn the business. His first car in 1975 was, the Pony, Korea's first car. From there he developed his business and devoted his entire life to promoting industry and to rebuild Korea. He built many schools, sponsored the Olympics in Korea and is revered as a great man. On display were a pair of the shoes that he wore for over 30 years. He was quoted as saying, "why do I need a new pair when I can fix the ones I have." His ingenuity and hard working spirit has allowed this company to grow and thrive. Another one of his quotes I liked, " There are no failures, only trials."

Seokguram Grotto (751 CE) (retreat)
This temple is very important because it shows that this was the last spot in continental Asia on the silk road. It was first constructed in 751 C.E. in the 10th year of Silla King Gyeongdeok. In the rotunda of the hall sits a majestic Buddha surrounded by many elaborate Bodhisattavas. The reason we know it has influence from the silk road is because the Buddha is in a cave which reflects the way people of Central Asia and India housed their Buddha sculptures.

Bulguk-sa Temple (751 CE) (main temple)
This is the main temple site. Upon entry you see the four guardian and they reflect influence (dress, features) from Central Asia and India indicating cultural diffusion. The rock pattern on the main temple is very symbolic because it represents the path to enlightenment. If you notice at the bottom, the rocks are in disarray which represents your sinful life, then as you begin to put order in your life, the rocks begin to look orderly until you've reached a peaceful enlightenment state of perfect order and symmetry with corresponding looking rocks. Another interesting symbol of the temple is the ringing of the bell or call to worship. This happens both in the morning and at night. Ringing the bell with the gong (calls the birds), clapper (calls the fish), bell (relief for the people in hell), and the drum calls the humans. All these different rings call the different people or things to worship.