The entrance to the temple,
Sokgyemun, has a double-sectioned staircase and bridge that leads to the inside of the temple compound.
The entrance to the temple,
Sokgyemun, has a double-sectioned staircase and bridge and
are National Treasure No. 23. The stairway has 33 steps, corresponding to the 33 steps to enlightenment. The lower portion,
Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge) has 17 steps and the upper portion,
Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge) has 16 steps.
This section is tucked away behind the trees and looked quite mystical to me.
The stairway leads to the
Jahanum (Mauve Mist Gate).
There is a snack shop at the bottom for refreshments before you begin the climb to the upper levels.
Water!
Not for drinking, for cleansing.
We weren't allowed to climb the major stairs, thank you very much, and took a small hill and staircase to the upper pavilion. This is view outside the courtyard walls.
Details of the walls and eaves.
I should have taken this from the side so that you could see it better. The thing hanging down is
Mogeo, a fish shaped wooden gong.
This is one of two pagodas here. Two are very rare. This one is the Dabotap (Many Treasure Pagoda) and it is dedicated to the Many Treasures Buddha mentioned in the Lotus Sutra. It is known for its highly ornate structure. This pagoda is reproduced on the South Korean 10 won coin. It and the other pagoda, Seokgatap, are Korean National Treasurers Nos. 20 and 21.
I did not get a photograph of the other Korean Style pagoda. I found this one on www.orientalarchitecture.com. As you can see, this one is not as ornate.
This is the smaller pagoda that is in front of the Main Temple.
Looking back at the courtyard.
Some additional views of the detailed eaves.
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