On Sunday morning, we walked over to the Jogyesa Temple, which was close to our hotel in Insadong. Jogyesa is the chief temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The Jogye Order is the largest monastic order of Buddhism in Korea, and shares a lot of spiritual principles with the Zen Buddhism practiced in Japan. The temple was first established in 1395, although this structure dates only to 1910. Jogyesa Temple has a regular Sunday morning prayer service. As it happens, the service that morning was especially well-attended, as the Jogye Order had urged Buddhists to participate in nationwide religious services to protest against the government. Buddhists in Korea had a long list of grievances including anti-Buddhist remarks by the President and preferential appointments of Christians in government service. A lot of people were coming and going that morning.
These photos are copyright © 2008 Kenneth E. Harker. All rights reserved.
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The main gate to enter the Jogyesa temple from the street. The gate was painted in a very intricate dancheong style. The colorful streamers hanging overhead were prayer flags. |
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The main Jogyesa temple building during the Sunday morning prayer service. The service is led by a monk who chants prayers (in the case of this temple, over a loud speaker system). Services are held on Sundays, as that is the one day a week that most Koreans get off from work or school. |
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The back side of one of the auxillary buildings at Jogyesa. Cooks in this building were preparing a large vegetarian meal for the crowds after the service was over. |
| Last Updated 1 August 2018 |