Bongeunsa Temple -- 3/7/09

So I guess it's been a while since I've updated this thing, huh? Well...you know me...I have always been a procrastinator, and moving to Korea didn't change that. Sorry folks....the procrastination is here to stay. So for all of you still waiting for me to e-mail you back, thanks for your patience, and if you want me to write back soon, you'll prolly have to start pestering me about it.

Anyway, things are going great here. Seoul is an incredible place to be. The city is freakin HUGE. I have been able to see so many awesome things already, but I still haven't even scratched the surface.

2 weekends ago Cassandra (she's the one I met at church that got here a week before me and is also from Minnesota) went and visited one of the biggest Buddhist Temples in Korea. It was called Bongeunsa Temple, and it's right in the middle of Seoul. The temple grounds were pretty big, and there were several different temples within the grounds.


The detailed painting on all of the temple buildings was quite stunning.


People could go into each of the temples where different meditation services we being held. Cassandra and I didn't go in, but we could hear some chanting of sorts.



The Bongeunsa Temple is famous for its statue of Buddha, because it is the biggest statue of Buddha in all of Korea.

Despite being in the midst of a huge, crazy city, the temple grounds are quiet and peaceful.


These cool paper lanterns were everywhere. There must have been thousands of them. I'm sure they look sweet at night!

There were also other statues of Buddha, and of course some elephants and dragons too!

Overall, it was a neat experience, and I enjoyed seeing the temple, but I was left feeling kind of sad, because there was a certain emptiness about the place. I felt sad for all the people who were going to that temple hoping to receive hope and peace and not knowing that true hope and peace is found only in Jesus Christ. I pray that Jesus will shine his truth into their lives and give them the true hope and joy that they long for.

You can check out more of the temple pictures here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2040604&id=51600217&l=a1989da341