For the Korean people, Buddhism is not just a religion. It is an integral part of the nation’s history and culture. While an increasing number of international visitors take part in a temple stay as a way to experience Buddhism, staying and meditating in a temple is not the only way to enjoy the cultural legacies of Buddhism in Korea. On this edition, we take you to explore the culture and valuable legacies of Buddhism in a theme trip organized by the Temple Stay Division of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. By visiting the stone Buddhas and pagodas, you will be able to explore Buddhism culture of the Silla and Goryeo eras.

This theme trip was designed as an alternative to temple stays and combines Buddhism culture and tourism. Our destination is Anseong, a city of long Buddhism history, and some members of the foreign media joined us on this trip.

? To view major temples in Korea
? What is a Temple Stay?

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< Statues of Buddha Seem to Live and Breathe > As soon as we arrived in Anseong, we went to view the Standing Buddha of Maesan-ri and the five-storied pagoda in Juksan-ri, both dating back to the Goryeo period. The pagoda, in fact, is registered as National Treasure no. 435. The Maesan-ri Buddha is characterized by uniquely disproportionate eyes, nose, and mouth. Complete with the tall crown typical of the period, the face is also characteristic of Goryeo Buddha images.

Maesan-ri Standing Buddha Juksan-ri Five-storied Pagoda How to Get There Maesan-ri Standing Buddha, Juksan-ri Five-storied Pagoda From Anseong Intercity Bus Terminal, take bus 37 or 38 and get off at Juksan-myeon Bus Terminal.

Anseong is also home to two statues known as the Standing Buddhas of Gisol-ri, or Ssangmireuk (paired Buddhas). Five meters in height, they are among the largest Buddha figures of the early Goryeo period. A few of these rare stone sculptures are found in this region, and serve as valuable for studying Goryeo-era standing Buddhas.

Gisol-ri Standing Buddhas Daenong-ri Standing Buddha Ayang-dong Standing Buddha talk content   / Max 300 byte (300 words letters) Password: