I've often received questions about how to use the word 눈치, and wanted to help clarify things.

눈치 has several translations depending on the situation, but overall is a simple word to use.

In this video I'll show you exactly what 눈치 means and how you can use it, and also show you some common expressions that use 눈치 including 눈치(가) 없다, 눈치(가) 있다, 눈치(가) 빠르다, 눈치(를) 보다, 눈치(가) 보이다, 눈치(를) 채다, as well as the word 눈치게임.

The post 눈치 and How to Use It | Korean FAQ appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.

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The post Master Politeness Levels with Billy Go | #5: The 니다 Form appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.

Temple History

Jingwangsa Temple is located in eastern Gyeongju near the East Sea and the famous the Gameunsa-ji Temple Site. Unlike the majority of Korean Buddhist temples that fall under one of three main Buddhist orders – the Jogye-jong Order, the Taego-jong Order, and the Cheontae-jong Order – Jingwangsa Temple belongs to the Jodong-jong Order. The Jodong-jong Order is a transliteration of the Caodong school. It is one of the 27 Korean Buddhist sects and orders, and it was first founded in May, 1989.

The Jodong-jong Order is headquartered out of Cheongryongsa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. In this form of Buddhism, Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) is the central Buddha of veneration. As for sutras that are central to the teachings of the Jodong-jong Order, it’s the Diamond Sutra, or Geumgang-gyeong in Korean; the Lotus Sutra, or Beophwa-gyeong in Korean; and the Avatamsaka Sutra (Flower Garland Sutra), or Hwaeom-gyeong in Korean.

Now, as for the Caodong school, it was founded by Dongshan Liangje (807–869 A.D.) and his Dharma descendants during the 9th century. As for the name of the school, there are two theories behind the Caodong school name. The first is that it’s a combination of “Dongshan” and “Caoshan.” However, the name for the Caodong school could also come from “Caoxi,” which is the mountain where Huineng (638-713 A.D), the Sixth Ancestor of Chan Buddhism, lived and taught. Subsequently, it’s also a transliteration of “Jogye” of the Jogye-jong Order, which is the largest Buddhist order in Korea. The Caodong school emphasizes sitting meditation and the “silent illumination” techniques.

Now, as to how the Caodong school migrated eastward to the Korean Peninsula. In 821 A.D., the Korean monk Doui-guksa returned to the Korean Peninsula after learning Chan/Seon Buddhism and the practice taught by Huineng (638-713 A.D.). It was under him that the “Nine Mountain Seon Monasteries” were founded.

So it’s to this tradition that the modern Jingwangsa Temple and the Jodong-jong Order adhere to.

Temple Layout

To the right of the Gameunsa-ji Temple Site and a collection of restaurants and convenience stores, you’ll find an unpaved country road that leads you towards Jingwangsa Temple. Past the tipped over temple sign, you’ll near the temple grounds. The first indication that you’re close, besides the constantly barking temple guard dog, is the serene-looking statue of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) to your right. The image of Gwanseeum-bosal, which stands five metres in height, looks out over the neighbouring rice fields. And above her crown are ten additional faces, which are meant to represent the ten stages towards enlightenment.

To the left of this statue is a L-shaped building that acts as both the dorms and kitchen to the temple. Beyond this building are a collection of three new temple shrine halls. Two are situated in the lower courtyard, while one is situated up near the treeline. The first of the three is a compact Daeung-jeon Hall. The front of this modern temple shrine hall is adorned with two large paintings of the Four Heavenly Kings. The exterior walls are also adorned with a collection of rudimentary paintings of the Shimu-do (The Ox-Herding Murals). Stepping inside the compact Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar occupied by a triad, slightly to the left, centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This central image is joined in the triad by a green haired statue of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) and an intricate image of a multi-armed and headed statue of Gwanseeum-bosal. To the right of this main altar triad, and still on the main altar, is a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) fronted by a standing image of Dongjin-bosal (The Bodhisattva that Protects the Buddha’s Teachings).

To the right of the compact Daeung-jeon Hall is another compact shrine hall. This shrine hall is the Yongwang-dang Hall. The front doors to this shaman shrine hall are lined with two dragon murals: one yellow and one blue. Stepping inside the Yongwang-dang Hall, you’ll instantly notice the three images of Yongwang (The Dragon King) on the main altar. They are meant to represent the three seas that surround the Korean Peninsula: the East Sea, the East China Sea, and the Yellow Sea. And below the Plexiglas flooring, you’ll find a stone statue of a dragon underneath your feet.

Now, between the Daeung-jeon Hall and the Yongwang-dang Hall, you’ll find a winding pathway of stairs that leads you up towards the newly built Sanshin-gak Hall. Housed inside this beautiful new Sanshin-gak Hall are eight statues dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). There are seven male Sanshin statues and one female Sanshin statue in the centre. These eight statues are meant to represent the Eight Provinces of Korea, which occurred during most of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). This administrative organization of the country into eight provinces lasted for over 480 years from 1413 to 1895. And while the country has been divided in half, these provinces are still reflected in the division of Korea provinces to this day. It’s rare to find eight Sanshin statues inside a Sanshin-gak Hall. In fact, it’s a first for me.

How To Get There

From the Gyeongju Train Station, there’s a bus stop at the neighbouring post office. You’ll need to take either Bus #150 or Bus #150-1 to get to the Gameunsa-ji Temple Site stop. The bus ride from the Gyeongju Train Station to Gameunsa-ji Temple Site will last thirty-eight stops, or one hour and twenty minutes. From the Gameunsa-ji Temple Site, you’ll need to hang a right and pass by all the restaurants and convenience stores. Use the statue of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) to guide you towards Jingwangsa Temple up the dirt road.

Overall Rating: 5/10

Not only is this temple lesser known, but so too is the Korean Buddhist order that it falls under. Adding to the uniqueness of the temple are the three Yongwang (Dragon King) statues and paintings inside the Yongwang-dang Hall and the eight Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) murals inside the newly constructed Sanshin-gak Hall. Adding to the temple’s overall appearance is its proximity to the historic Gameunsa-ji Temple Site. So make a day of it and enjoy!

Temple History

Sinheungsa Temple is located in Buk-gu, Ulsan. The temple was first founded in 635 A.D. by the monk Myeongrang-beopsa. The temple was built in the hopes of peace. Originally, the temple was named Geonheungsa Temple. According to temple records, the temple helped train one hundred monks in 678 A.D. Sinheungsa Temple also played a part in the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple sent three hundred bags of rice and warrior monks that joined the Righteous Army in the defence of the Korean peninsula. Unfortunately, because of the role it played in defending Korea, Sinheungsa Temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese. The temple was later rebuilt in 1646 by Yi Geup, who was a military commander. It was also at this time that the temple changed its name from Geonheungsa Temple to Sinheungsa Temple. Sadly, Sinheungsa temple was destroyed, once again, by fire in 1686. It was later rebuilt.

During the Korean War (1950-1953), some of the shrine halls and buildings were damaged at Sinheungsa Temple, as the area was a known area for conflict during the war. So instead of having a Daeung-jeon Hall, the temple’s Eungjin-jeon Hall was used as the temple’s main hall. Then in 1998, a newly made Daeung-jeon Hall was built at Sinheungsa Temple. This allowed the Eungjin-jeon Hall to be shifted to the left of the main hall and the newly built Daeung-jeon Hall took up the central position in the temple courtyard.

Temple Layout

You first approach Sinheungsa Temple up a long valley. Along the way, and especially if you visit during the summer months, you’ll find a lot of campers and tents in this valley. Finally at the temple parking lot, and up a steep set of stairs, you’ll pass by an ancient, towering tree. Now you’ll be standing squarely in front of a two-storied structure. The first floor acts as the Cheonwangmun Gate, while the second story acts as a lecture hall.

Passing through the Cheonwangmun Gate that has paintings of the Four Heavenly Kings on the walls of this entry gate, you’ll enter into the main temple courtyard at Sinheungsa Temple. To your far right, you’ll find the monks’ quarters. And next to this residence is a spring for which the temple is famous. And to your far left is the administrative office.

Straight ahead of you is the newly built Daeung-jeon Hall. Around the exterior walls of this large main hall are various murals that include murals dedicated to the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find that the interior walls are adorned with murals dedicated to various Bodhisattvas like Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom), Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). And hanging on the far right wall is a wood-relief carving of a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). As for the main altar triad, it rests beneath a large red canopy with an equally exquisite wood-relief carving of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) at the centre of the Buddhist artwork. As for the main altar triad, the central image is that of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha), who is joined on either side by Munsu-bosal and Bohyeon-bosal.

To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall is the aforementioned Eungjin-jeon Hall. This compact shrine hall dates back to the late-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Out in front of the Eungjin-jeon Hall is a modern three-story pagoda. Stepping inside the Eungjin-jeon Hall, you’ll find white stone statues of the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha). They are joined in the centre by a triad of all-white statues. Again, Seokgamoni-bul sits in the centre of the main altar triad. Looking around the interior of the Eungjin-jeon Hall, you’ll find a beautiful collection of fading murals that include floral designs, Nahan, and dragons.

The final temple shrine hall that visitors can explore at Sinheungsa Temple is the Samseong-gak Hall. This shaman shrine hall is situated up a long, overgrown set of stairs. As you enter the Samseong-gak Hall, you’ll be greeted by three wood-relief carvings of three Korean shaman deities. They are Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), Chilseong (The Seven Stars), and Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). All three are masterfully executed and vibrantly painted.

How To Get There

To get to Sinheungsa Temple, you’ll first need to get to the Hogye train station in northern Ulsan. From the Hogye train station, you’ll then need to take a taxi to get to the temple. The taxi ride should take about twenty minutes, and it should cost around 8,000 won (one way).

Overall Rating: 6/10

There are a few highlights to be enjoyed at this historic temple like the main altar inside the Daeung-jeon Hall. The wood-relief carving backing the main altar statues and the large, intricate red canopy that they all rest beneath is stunning, as well. Another highlight to the temple are the statues and dancheong inside the Eungjin-jeon Hall. And finally, the vibrant wood-relief carvings inside the Samseong-gak Hall are something to keep an eye out for, as well.