Baeknyeonsa
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Buddhism in Korea
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© John Holstein 2006
© John Holstein 2006
Baeknyeonsa
is in South Gyeongsang Province, on Namhae Island.
Daeungjeon
(the Main Buddha Hall) is the second building from the left.
In
the Main Buddha Hall.
Many
stupas serve as reliquary of a Buddhist saint.
Beaknyeonsa
overlooks a bay of the South Sea.
The
names of the contributors are written on the tags hanging from these lanterns
hanging from the ceiling in the Main Buddha Hall. These lanterns perform
a function similar to votive candles; they represent prayers for good
health, prosperity, etc., for the contributor's family.
Judgement
Hall, featuring the Bodhisattva of Rescue (aka Bodhisattva of Hells) in
the center, with the Kings of Hells on either side. Note that all of the
lotus lanterns in this hall are white -- these lanterns represent prayers
for the deceased.
Ungjinjeon,
the Hall of Arhats. Note the unusual colors in the painting behind the
Buddha. Taenghwa are usually done in the five bright dancheong
colors, but here we have basically black and gold. Brian Barry, Buddhist
artist: "This [and the red taenghwa on another wall] is a
fairly common genre of temple paintings. This gold on red or gold on black
probably was derived from the old Shilla sutras written in gold, which
feature drawings of guardians in gold as well, on gamji, a dark
blue paper. The idea caught on for red and black backgrounds as well,
but there is no research on when exactly these types of paintings began,
although [it was] probably in the late 19th century, with the black ones
being more modern versions -- I haven't seen any that are dated earlier
than the 20th century C.E. I understand that there are Tibetan hongtaenghwa
[red taenhwa] as well... Note that the system is the same -- only
flesh is painted, with all the lines being done in gold."
Ungjinjeon,
Hall of the Arhats
Monk's
quarters
