Jogyesa Temple is the main temple of the Jogye Order and a symbol of Korean Buddhism, and it is located in the heart of Seoul. It was founded in 1910 and is a place to practice Buddhism as well as a centre for education, culture and social services. This is a very impressive and colourful temple. The Main Dharma Hall/Daeungjeon is open 24 hours a day to the public.
We were there on day 3 of our Seoul trip. It happened to be the Lotus Flower Festival (from July to August), and they were also holding a Bodhisattva-precepts ordination ceremony. Hence the Main Dharma Hall/Daeungjeon was closed to tourists and we were unable to have a look and take photos. However, we did walk around the place and took a few outdoor photos.
To get to the temple there are two subway stations to alight from: Jonggak or Anguk. For line 1 Jonggak station, use Exit 2, walk for about 70m, cross the crosswalk, and walk for about 100m more. There is an access road to Jogyesa Temple on the left. Or via line 3 Anguk station, use Exit 6, walk for about 50m, cross the crosswalk in front of Dongdeok Gallery, turn left, and walk for about 50m.
Once you arrive, you will see a steep road towards the One Pillar Gate/Iljumun. The One Pillar Gate is the first entrance to Buddha’s world. It has a single lateral pillar, thus the name One Pillar Gate. This is symbolic of one mind.
This place is surrounded by pots of lotus flowers because of the Lotus flower festival.
Main Dharma Hall is also called Daeungjeon which means Hall of the Great Hero. The great hero is Shakyamuni Buddha and his statue is the central figure in this hall. There are three golden statues: Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, and Bhaisaiya Buddha. We had to see it from afar as they were in prayer.
These golden statues measure over 4.8 metres tall. Amitabha Buddha has his thumb and third finger of each hand touching. Shakyamuni Buddha has his left hand in his lap while his right hand touches the ground with the tip of his finger, symbolising him touching the earth after enlightenment. Bhaisaiya Buddha brings good health and fortune to those who are suffering, both physically and emotionally. He is seen holding a container of medicine to help those in need.
In front of the Main Dharma Hall is a 450 year old Chinese Scholar Tree, which is 26 meters tall and four meters in circumference. It was decorated with colourful lanterns and cloth.
Next to the Main Dharma Hall is the rare 500 year old Baeksong (Lacebark White Pine Tree), which was about 10 meters high, and gave the nearby area “Su-Song Dong” its name (Song means pine tree in Korean).
Paradise Hall/Geungnakjeon is for Amitabha (or Amitayus) Buddha who leads beings to Paradise (Western Pure land) where he resides. We didn’t have a look inside so don’t know how it looks.
At the Bell Pavilion/Beomjongru, is where the four temple instruments are kept. They are the Brahma Bell, Dharma Drum, Cloud Gong and Wooden Fish. These are played before the morning and evening chanting.
The octagonal ten-storied Sarira Pagoda/Buddha Relic Stupa is an actual relic of the Buddha bought in 1913 by the Sri Lankan monk Anagarika Dharmaapala (1864-1933).
Before we left, we went inside the Gapi publicity centre of Jogyesa. This is a place where visitors get information about the temple stay and participate in a variety of courses, such as making lotus flowers using paper (9am – 5pm), making a prayer bead (9am – 5pm), traditional Buddhist culture experience etc.
Did you know the meaning of prayer beads? Prayer beads (Yeomju) are also called suju, songju, and juju, meaning beads that remember the number of prayers. It awakens the duty of practice if you own or carry beads on your body, which can be easily forgotten with the rigours of daily life. As a Buddhist, it helps you to think of the Buddha all the time and not to forget learning.
Last, but not least, let me show you the Mantra of the Bodhisattva of compassion:
Na-mo-ra da-na da-ra ya-ya
ohm a-na-ba-je mi-a-ye
si-di sit-dal-je sa-ba-ha