Day 38 ( Gyeongju Trip Day 2 )

Today is 27th Sep 08 and i'm on my way to the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto with the NTU team!! haha.. this is my gf and i in bus 11~

Bulguksa Temple is the representative relic of Gyeongju and was designated as a World Cultural Asset by UNESCO in 1995. The beauty of the temple itself and the artistic touch of the stone relics are known throughout the world. Bulguksa Temple was built in 528 during the Silla Dynasty, in the 15th year of King Beop-Heung's reign (514~540). It was called Hwaeom Bulguksa Temple or Beopryusa Temple back then. In 751, under King Gyeong-Deok (reign 742∼765), Kim Dae-Seong (700~774) started rebuilding the temple and finished in 774, under King Hye-Gong (reign 765~780).

After 17 years of construction, the name 'Bulguksa' was finally given to the temple. The name 'Bulguksa' was kept through numerous renovations of the temple from the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392) to the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910). But during the Imjinwaeran War (the war provoked by Japan's invasion, 1592~1598) the wooden building was burned, 819 years after first being established. From 1604, during Joseon Dynasty (King Seon-Jo's 37th year) the reconstruction started again and was renovated approximately 40 times till 1805, to the reign of King Sun-Jo (1790~1834). But the temple still suffered many robberies and damage afterwards.

The entrance of Bulguksa Temple! Among the five summits of Silla ( East summit of Toham mountains, West summit of Gyeryong mountain, South summit of Jiri mountains, North summit of Taebaek mountain, and central summit of Palgong mountain ), the East summit of Toham mountain was held sacred as the guardian mountain that proctecs the country from the invasion of Japanese pirates. Toham mountain is the holy mountain of Silla which preserves Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto that embodied the idea of Buddhist nation in the form of construction.
Our tickets!
Haetalgyo bridge. Haetalgyo, describing the path to reach Nirvana of Busshist ideal land from Sabha ) present suffering world ), is located on the way to ) front of Chunwangmoon gate ) the Precincts of Bulguksa.

This is Cheongungyo and Baekungyo Stairway ( National treasure No. 23 )

Cheongungyo and Baekungyo stairway consist of 33 stairs that symbolize the 33 heavenly worlds of Buddha. The upper one is Cheongungyo stairway and the lower one is Baekungyo stairway.

Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo Stairway ( National treasure No. 22 )
The stepping stone of Yeonhwagyo stairway has 10 stairs and is carved with beautiful lotus flower shape. 7 platforms of Chilbogyo stairway symbolizes 7 types of treasures including gold, silver and glass. The upper one is Chilbogyo stairway and the lower one is Yeonhwagyo stairway.

Trying to push the trees apart!! I AM MIGHTY!! ( eh.. but my right hand seems to give it away.. sian diao.. )

Pricking some nose.. haha!

(p.s. I'm a christian btw.. LOL.. ) Bulguksa Samcheung Seoktap ( Seokgatap Pagoda, National treasure No. 21 )

There is a pair of towers that face each other in the east and the west direction in the front yard of Daeungjeon Hall of Bulguksa Temple. Of these two, the tower in the west direction is called Seokgatap Pagoda of which height is 8.2m. This firm and simple tower with no decoration on its body is the representative stone tower of Unified Silla era. During the operation restoration in Octoer 1966, a Dharani sutra, funerary stupa of Seokgatap Pagoda and many other relics were found. According to an old tale, the tower never shed shadows in the holy ground where Asanyeo waited for Asadal, the tower is also called 'Muyeongtap'.

Bulguksa Stupa ( Treasure No. 61 )

Our meals!! Anyway meals in Gyeongju is never cheap.. especially in the vicinity of tourist attractions..

Next, we went up to Mt Tohamsan to find the Seokguram Grotto! Stunning scenery everywhere!!

Huilin trying to suck something!!

Kinda like this picture.. can u see the forces of nature that eventually break this tough rock into half?? Seokguram Grotto ( National treasure No. 24 )

Seokguram Grotto is a stone temple that was first built by Kim Daesung for his past life parents and completed while under ruling of King Hyegong in 744. The carved stones were piled up in a dome shape and covered with earth soil to give the cave look. The name of Seokguram at the time of establishment was Seokbulsa Temple. As mentioned in an old record that says "The shrine was built like weaving silk out of stong.", the beautiful and tender features of Buddha is the highlight of Buddhist art in Unified Silla era. Seokguram Grotto is the masterpiece created by the profound Buddhist culture, science and artistic spirit of Unified Silla era.

( Registered as world's cultural heritage as by UNESCO on December 9, 1995 )

According to Huilin, she's not sure if it's a girl or boy.. so she called this child an "it".. interesting sia..
The construction started with Kim Dae-Seong (700~774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742~765) of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.~A.D. 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765~780).

Bonjonbul

Seokguram Grotto Bonjonbul ( Sukgayeoraebul statue ) is one of the most brillant pieces of all cultural heritages that our ancestors have left in terms of its religious inscrutability and artistry. It is also known as one of the most outstanding masterpieces in the history of world's religious and art. The lotus pedestal of Bonjonbul is made with white granite, of which the profound shape and sophisticated engraving make the aura of Bonjonbul look even more significant.
Opps.. if you notice something yellow beside the photo.. i guess i broke the rule once again.. eh..
Looking down from the Seokguram Grotto..

My girlfriend and i at the top of the world!! Lastly, we ended the whole trip with burger king!! haha.. kinda enjoyed every moment!!

Hmm.. the trip to Gyeongju is really enriching.. i enjoyed it very much!! But as a christian, when i see so many temples and statues around, i kinda have a little sad feeling over me.. no hard feelings to anyone because people close to me are buddhist as well.. i only want to let those people i love to know that i love them.. and God loves u too.. that's all i can do ba.. School starting this week and i hope lessons will be interesting~ haha.. Thanks Li Shi, Huilin, Karen and June for the great company.. All of u are great!