The Smaller Halls
at Tong Myeong Bul-weon
Amita Bul Hall ~ Geuk-nak Jeon
| Exiting the Great Hall, the visitor will find the Geuk-nak Jeon to the right. This is the hall dedicated to Amita Bul, the "Buddha of Eternal Light." Among the many manifestations of the Buddha, Amita Bul is accorded particular reverence, presiding as he does, over the Jeong T'o or ‘Pure Land,' a place inhabited by gods and men. This manifestation represents a redemptive aspect of the Buddha and will have a familiar ring to Christians. Pure Land Buddhists believe they need only petition Amita Bul for salvation. In concentrating on the | name Amita Bul, the believer's mind is turned from greed and suffering toward perfection, and he is assured admittance into the Pure Land. In Tong Myeong Bul-weon's Geuk-nak Jeon, Amita Bul sits in the center. On his left is Koan-se-eum Bo-sal, the "Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion," and on Amita Bul's right sits De-sae-ji Bo-sal, the "Bodhisattva of Power." These Bo-sals are said to be "emanations" of Amita Bul -- tradition has it that they were formed from rays of light emanating from Amita Bul's eyes. |
 | On the far right end of Tong Myeong Bul-weon's Geuk-nak Jeon is office of the Ch'u-ji Seu-nim -- the Abbot -- of Tong Myeong Bul-weon At
the time of this original writing the Ch'u-ji Seu-nim was the Venerable Jang San.
Since that time he has taken leave. |
Main
Page | Great
Hall | Smaller
Halls | Shamanist
Shrines | Appendices
| Index
| Basic Documents of Buddhism
Disciples' Hall -- Na-han Jeon
Exiting
the Geuk-nak Jeon the next building to the visitor's right is the Na-han Jeon
or ‘Disciples Hall.' In the center
of the Buddha triad sits Sakamuni
Bul, the "Historical Buddha."
On the Buddha's right sitsBo-hyeon Bo-sal, the "Bodhisattva of Action and Protector of the Disciples" and, on the Buddha's left, sits Mun- su Bo-sal, the "Bodhisattva of Wisdom."
To the right and left of this triad are twenty-two disciples and two guardians, unfortunate victims of vandalism and due for restoration. The portrait behind the triad also depicts the triad and the disciples.
| Across the courtyard between the Great Hall and the main gate, is the Koan-eum Jeon. This hall houses the dominant figure in the ranks of the Bo-sals: Koan-se-eum Bo-sal -- known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion, the "Hearer of Cries." Compassion is an important cornerstone of Buddhism and as the representative of compassion, Koan-se-eum occupies a particularly prominent position of Cho-gye Buddhism. Very often, if you hear a long repetitive chant, it is a call to this particular Bodhisattva -- to this sentiment.
| To her left is her scribe, Nam-seung Dong-sa, and to her right is the Dragon King, Yong-wan. Behind the statues is a beautiful painting of Koan-se-eum Bo-sal, Nam-seung, Dong-sa, and Yong-wan in Koan-se-eum Bo-sal's kingdom by the sea. In the vessel in her hand is the sweet dew of compassion with which she ministers to those in need. Although Koan-se-eum Bo-sal is often referred to in the feminine gender, this is of no consequence at all -- in other temples Koan-se-eum may be represented with a mustache! |
Main
Page | Great
Hall | Smaller
Halls | Shamanist
Shrines | Appendices
| Index
| Basic Documents of Buddhism
Tong Myeong Bul-weon Main Office
Located between the Koan-eum Jeon (‘Koan-se-eum Bo-sal Hall') and the main gate is the office for Tong Myeong Bul-weon. Here you are able to purchase souvenirs and other religious items.
Cultural note -- Yoom-ju / Buddhist "Rosaries"
Among the more commonly seen religious items in Korean Buddhism are the various "rosaries" -- the long Baek-pal (108) Yoom-ju, the smaller Dan-ju -- the sort held by Jang San Seu-nim in the picture above -- and the wrist beads so popular in the West these days.
The number 108 is encountered often in Korean Buddhism. It represents the philosophical notion of the "108 Passions of Man." The number 108 is derived by multiplying the six senses (the traditional Western five senses, plus the mind, which coordinates them) by various considerations of human existence.
The 108 Yoom-ju and the Dan-ju are often used simply to count repetitive prayers.
The smaller wrist beads -- so popular as "Power Beads" in the USA and Europe today -- are worn by Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike and often represent a certain sympathy with Buddhist philosophy more than actually announcing a particular religious affiliation as wearing a Crucifix might.