Chilgok Temples

Chilgok Temples - Part II

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Daegu, South Korea

Biking around in my neighbourhood I've been exploring some of the local temples.

The first one opposite Unam Middle School caught my eye originally due to the large statue outside.

There are two buildings in the complex. The first one had a large hall filled with hanging lanterns from the ceiling. The front main shrine had two curved walls either side filled with rows of tiny gold buddha statues.

The second smaller adjacent building had a smaller version of the same shrine and curved walls but without the hanging lanterns from the ceiling.

Directly behind is Hamji Park. Here is a beautiful lake with a large lotus pond at the entrance. From here you can go hiking for several kms around this small city mountain.

Hamji Park Lotus Pond

Mountain Hiking Trail

A short ride away hidden behind Hamji High School is another older and smaller temple.

From the main street follow the trail of hanging lanterns up a narrow street to the main gate.

This was a small compound with two small buildings. To the left was a pond with a covering made to look like a cave. It had a small window shrine at the front and many tiny buddha statues positioned around around the pond.

Next was the small main building. Inside was a small version of a typical temple with a main shrine, wall artwork, and hanging lanterns. They also had a large temple bell in one corner.

Beside was a smaller outbuilding and some large artificial lotus flowers on a rock wall. There was a newer building beside with a large shrine I could see thru the glass but it was locked.

Lantern Trail to Temple

The final temple I only found by accident.

Hidden behind the Chilgok Catholic Hospital by the Dong-A Dept store, I only saw this when I had to go for my medical exam.

Its a large three storey structure with beautifully painted wood beams and exterior artwork.

The main prayer hall is on the third floor. Here is a large version of a normal prayer hall.

Interestingly they had an interior pagoda next to a seated bronze buddha. This is something I have not seen before inside a temple. They also had several marble candle holders and pots. Again not typical as they are usually polished brass and copper.

You can also go out on the top floor terrace. A female monk was onsite and we chatted a bit in my little korean. She was telling me about another nice temple to visit outside Daegu but the name has slipped my mind now