We're at lesson 5 out of a total of 20 lessons. This series is a free video course that teaches through natural Korean conversations, and gives full explanations for everything along the way. I'll be posting one new episode of this course until it's complete.

Note that this course is recommended for students who've already completed either my Beginner's Korean Course (100 episodes), or another similar beginner Korean course. That course is also free on my YouTube channel.

The post Billy Go’s Korean Conversation Course | #5: Taxi – 택시 appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.

Hermitage History

Seonsuam Hermitage is located on the Sudeoksa Temple grounds in Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Deoksungsan (495.2 m). The hermitage is also a nunnery for Buddhist nuns. Very little is known about the hermitage’s history.

Hermitage Layout

Just to the southwest of the main temple courtyard at Sudeoksa Temple, you’ll find Seonsuam Hermitage. As you first approach the entry to the hermitage, which is located just to the left of the Sacheonwangmun Gate for Sudeoksa Temple, you’ll notice a miniature replica of Dabo-tap Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple fame halfway up the pathway. Nestled under towering trees, the pagoda is an exact replica of the stone monument but just a quarter of its original size.

Finally entering the hermitage’s main courtyard, you’ll notice the large main hall to your right with the nuns’ dorms off to the left. The Wontongbo-jeon Hall’s exterior is beautifully adorned with two different sets of murals. The upper set is the vibrant Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life), while the lower set depicts the various stages of a person’s life. The floral latticework on the front doors are stunning.

Stepping inside the Wontongbo-jeon Hall, and seated all alone on the main altar, is a large image dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). The entire interior of the main hall is adorned with various murals. To the right of the main altar are a set of four murals. The first of these paintings is dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), followed by one dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), another dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars), and the last being a beautiful Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).

To the left of the main altar, on the other hand, is another collection of Buddhist murals. The first of these four is dedicated to a multi-armed and headed Gwanseeum-bosal. The next painting is an older mural dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), followed by a painting dedicated to the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld), and a Gamno-do (Sweet Dew Mural).

It should be noted that during my visit to Seonsuam Hermitage, I met one of the nicest nuns (or monks for that matter) at any temple or hermitage in Korea. She took the time to explain some of the details behind each painting inside the Wontongbo-jeon Hall. Also, she gave me a beautiful wood panel piece filled with a dancheong design. It was a great experience.

How To Get There

To get to Seonsuam Hermitage, you’ll first need to get to Sudeoksa Temple. To get to Sudeoksa Temple, you’ll need to take a bus from the Yesan Intercity Bus Terminal. From this terminal, you can take a rural bus to get to Sudeoksa Temple. Here is a list of potential buses that you can take: Bus #553 (8:20), Bus #547 (9:40), Bus #558 (10:50, 17:35), Bus #551 (12:00, 15:00), Bus #557 (13:20), Bus #549 (14:00), Bus #555 (15:55), Bus #556 (19:15). These buses will take about an hour and forty minutes to get to the temple.

Once at Sudeoksa Temple, make your way towards the main temple courtyard. Just before the Sacheonwangmun Gate, hang a left and head towards Seonsuam Hermitage. It’s about 100 metres up the pathway.

Overall Rating: 3/10

Seonsuam Hermitage is well-taken care of as is evident of the well-manicured grounds. In addition to all of this natural beauty, the hermitage also houses a beautiful collection of artwork inside the main hall. There’s also a large, imposing image of a feminine-looking statue of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) on the main altar. So if you’re visiting the neighbouring Sudeoksa Temple, you should definitely drop by Seonsuam Hermitage along they way.

Temple History

Jangyuksa Temple is located to the south of Mt. Unseosan (519.9 m) in northern Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The temple was first constructed by the monk Naong (1320-1376) during the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo (r. 1351-74).

Jangyuksa Temple was later destroyed by a brush fire during the reign of King Sejong (r. 1418-1450). It was at this time that a rather interesting temple myth surrounds the rebuild of Jangyuksa Temple. During this rebuild, a carpenter volunteered to help reconstruct the Daeung-jeon Hall. He did this to help pray for his mother’s recovery. When the construction was almost complete, and there were only the last four pillars left to be added to the main hall, the carpenter heard that his mother had died. Devastated, and unable to hide his grief, the carpenter left the construction of the Daeung-jeon Hall before its completion. The loss of his mother, or at least this is what the carpenter told himself, was caused by the lack of sincerity of his prayers. After the departure of the grieving carpenter, a new carpenter was called in to complete the main hall. But because of his lack of expertise, the main hall was completed with the bowing of the four remaining pillars.

This Daeung-jeon Hall, and the rest of the temple grounds, would be completely destroyed, this time, during the Imjin War (1592-98). Not long after, Jangyuksa Temple would be rebuilt, again. And the latest large scale restoration took place in 1900.

Jangyuksa Temple is home to one Korean Treasure, it’s the “Dry-lacquered Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Jangnyuksa Temple,” which is Korean Treasure #993. In addition to this one Korean Treasure, the temple is home to four provincial treasures, as well.

Temple Layout

You first approach the temple grounds up a twisting country road, until you eventually arrive at the temple parking lot. From the temple parking lot, you’ll get great views to your right of the sprawling temple grounds with a meandering stream to your left.

Mounting the stone set of stairs, you’ll find the Jong-ru Pavilion halfway up your climb. Housed inside this bell pavilion is a beautiful bronze bell. After viewing the Jong-ru Pavilion, you’ll pass under the temple’s Boje-ru Pavilion. Just make sure to watch your head when passing under the pavilion because the ceiling is quite low.

Appearing on the other side of the Boje-ru Pavilion, you’ll finally be standing in the centre of the main temple courtyard. Straight ahead of you is the Daeung-jeon Hall. The Daeung-jeon Hall is Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Property #138.

The exterior walls are adorned in simple dancheong colours. Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, which was renovated in 1900, you’ll find a triad of statues resting on the main altar. In the centre sits Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha), who is joined on either side by Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). This triad is backed by a stunning “The Sermon on Vulture Peak Painting,” or “Yeongsan Hoesang-do – 영산 회상도” in Korean. It’s believed that the painting dates back to the mid-18th century, and it’s Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Property #373.

To the right of the main altar is an elaborate Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural), as well as an older mural dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars) located between the main altar and the Shinjung Taenghwa. And to the left of the main altar, you’ll find a mural dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). This painting is also a Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Property #374. But if you look around the interior of the Daeung-jeon Hall including the walls, the ceiling, and beams, you’ll find a wonderful variety of mid-18th century murals that include murals dedicated to Munsu-bosal, Bohyeon-bosal, Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities), the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha). In total, there are 18 of these paintings, and they are a Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Property #563.

Back outside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a beautiful, modern three-story pagoda to the right of the main hall. The base of the structure is adorned with images of the Eight Legions, while the first body stones are adorned with various Buddhas including Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine) and Birojana-bul (The Buddha of Cosmic Energy).

To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall, on the other hand, is the temple’s Gwaneum-jeon Hall. Like the Daeung-jeon Hall, the Gwaneum-jeon Hall is adorned with simple dancheong colours. As for the interior, and resting on the main altar, is a solitary image dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). This is the “Dry-lacquered Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Jangnyuksa Temple,” which is Korean Treasure #993. This statue stands 86 cm in height, and it was made in 1395 through the donations of the officials and people of Yonghae-bu District. It was re-gilt in 1407. The face of the Bodhisattva looks determined, and its overall stance is slightly bent. Compared to other Buddha and Bodhisattva statues of the early 14th century, this statue emphasizes the decorations adorning its body like the necklace and crown than other features on the statue. Backing this statue is a modern multi-armed and headed image of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. And filling out the rest of the interior of the shrine hall are tiny statues of Gwanseeum-bosal.

And to the left of the Gwaneum-jeon Hall is the Dokseong/Sanshin-gak Hall. Like the previously mentioned shrine hall, this shaman shrine hall’s exterior walls are adorned in simple dancheong colours. Stepping inside the Dokseong/Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find a pair of paintings. The painting to the right is dedicated to a rather surprised-looking image of Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), while the mural to the left is dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). The Mountain Spirit is joined by a wild-eyed image of a tiger.

How To Get There

Without the use of your own vehicle, Jangyuksa Temple is virtually impossible to get to. With nearly a two and a half hour ride on public transportation and multiple bus changes along the way, a vehicle of your own is almost a must. However, if you don’t have your own mode of transportation, the next best thing might be a taxi from the Yeongdeok Terminal. If you take a taxi to get to Jangyuksa Temple, it’ll take about 33 minutes, over 32 km, and it’ll cost you 41,000 won (one way).

Overall Rating: 7/10

The rather obvious highlight to Jangyuksa Temple is the Daeung-jeon Hall. In total, it houses some four provincial treasures; some of which, I wouldn’t be surprised become Treasures in the not too distant future. Of particular note are the eighteen mid-18th century paintings that adorn every surface inside the main hall, as well as the pair of provincial paintings dedicated to Jijang-bosal and the “The Sermon on Vulture Peak Painting” backing the main altar triad. In addition to the Daeung-jeon Hall, you should also look for the stunning “Dry-lacquered Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva of Jangnyuksa Temple,” which also just so happens to be a Korean Treasure, as well as the mural dedicated to the Mountain Spirit inside the shaman shrine hall. Overall, Jangyuksa Temple is little known, as a result there aren’t too many crowds, which makes for a rather tranquil experience.

In the predawn hours, when most sane souls are still cocooned in the warmth of their beds, there’s a sacred magic brewing in the world. It’s the time when shadows dance differently, and light paints the sky in hues only the early risers witness. This is the time when Seuldo Island, nestled in the embrace of Dong-gu Ulsan, reveals its raw beauty to those willing to chase the dawn.

My recent escapade to Seuldo was born from the ashes of a canceled photowalk, a casualty of unpredictable weather. But sometimes, the best adventures stem from unexpected beginnings. Armed with my camera and a craving for connection with the lens, I embarked on a solitary journey, seeking solace in the solitude of dawn.

Seuldo, with its seaside cafes and Instagram-worthy canola flowers, is a siren song for many. But for me, the allure lies in the tranquil morning hours, where the world whispers secrets only the early risers can hear. As I stumbled out of bed, late yet eager, I found myself greeted by a celestial surprise—a massive moon lingering behind the lighthouse, casting a silver glow upon the waking world.

With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I hastily set up my gear, grateful for the 70-200mm lens that framed the scene with perfection. As if scripted by fate, a fellow shutterbug emerged from the darkness, his energy mirroring my own. In the silent communion of photographers, we shared a moment, capturing the fleeting beauty of dawn with our lenses.

With the sunrise as our muse, we danced with light and shadow, each click of the shutter a testament to our shared passion. And as quickly as our paths crossed, he vanished into the morning mist, leaving me to ponder my next destination.

The allure of Gyeongju beckoned, its ancient charm calling to my wandering soul. Amidst centuries-old temples and blooming cherry blossoms, I found inspiration in every corner. The forest of “double blossoms” whispered tales of seasons past, their delicate petals a symphony of color against the backdrop of history.

Amidst the tranquility of nature, I found my muse—a solitary tree adorned with pink blossoms, its branches reaching towards the heavens. In that moment, I became a storyteller, capturing the essence of time in a single frame.

As I retraced my steps homeward, exhaustion mingled with euphoria, a testament to the day’s endeavors. In the quiet of my sanctuary, I marveled at the memories captured through my lens, each image a testament to the beauty of the world awakened.

In a life filled with choices, I am grateful for the moments when I choose to chase the dawn, to embrace the unknown with open arms. For in those fleeting moments, I find not only photographs but fragments of my soul scattered amidst the pixels—a reminder that the greatest adventures lie just beyond the horizon.

So here’s to Seuldo Island, to Gyeongju’s ancient allure, and to the serendipitous moments that shape our journey. May we continue to chase the dawn, one click of the shutter at a time, in search of stories yet untold.

The post Exploring Seuldo Island: A Photographer’s Serendipitous Journey appeared first on The Sajin.