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Seoul / Pusan / Buddhist areas of Korea

 
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SpaceOddity



Joined: 08 Jun 2008

PostPosted: Tue Jun 10, 2008 5:37 pm    Post subject: Seoul / Pusan / Buddhist areas of Korea Reply with quote

I was just offered a job at Busan public schools, and I am also in the process of applying to Seoul public schools through SMOE. I don't know which to choose! Any advice? I'm not a drinker, I like diverse areas, friendly people, sunshine, Buddhist monks, and Korean food.

I am also a Buddhist. Which area has a bigger Buddhist community? Seoul or Busan? Does anyone know? Are there any particularly "Buddhist" areas or cities in Korea that you know of?

Thanks for the help Smile
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pumaca



Joined: 17 Feb 2008

PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I can't give any advice, but will be in Busan next year as well, and am Buddhist. You'll have at least one ally.
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sojourner1



Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug

PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's temples spread out all over Korea, but most are accessible by car as they are usually outside of towns on mountain sides due them having been illegal in Korea's past. Some can be walked to if at the edge of town.

Today, they're legal and still actively maintained, but half the country is Christian, yes Christian which surprised me when I first came to Korea as I thought Buddhism was dominant. It is in most other Asian countries, but Korea is different. In every Korean town or city, you'll see red neon crosses on top of church steeples.

Take a look at Thailand when you get a chance, it's a very beautiful country with the most awesome golden Buddhist temples and warm people who hold onto traditions quite well. I think you will enjoy this gig very much if you're into Buddhism.
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IncognitoHFX



Joined: 06 May 2007
Location: Yeongtong, Suwon

PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

sojourner1 wrote:

Today, they're legal and still actively maintained, but half the country is Christian, yes Christian which surprised me when I first came to Korea as I thought Buddhism was dominant. It is in most other Asian countries, but Korea is different. In every Korean town or city, you'll see red neon crosses on top of church steeples.


Actually, if you look at the statistics (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_South_Korea) you'll find that there are almost the same number of Christians as there are Buddhists (Christians = 29%, Buddhists = 23%) and then you have the rest of the population which has no religion (46%).

The Christians are the loudest religion (anywhere) so of course you notice them a lot more. Also, the style of worship amongst Christians here is loud in general, something I think they picked up from the missionaries that were sent over in the twentieth century.

You do see Buddhists around, occasionally. Some (most) just look like normal people, others will be monks with traditional robes walking on the subway or the street. They're very friendly and approachable, too, which is more than I can say than the Christian guys wearing sashes and screaming anti-Buddhist rants on megaphones.
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Chamchiman



Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Digging the Grave

PostPosted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 3:25 pm    Post subject: Re: Seoul / Pusan / Buddhist areas of Korea Reply with quote

SpaceOddity wrote:
I was just offered a job at Busan public schools, and I am also in the process of applying to Seoul public schools through SMOE. I don't know which to choose! Any advice? I'm not a drinker, I like diverse areas, friendly people, sunshine, Buddhist monks, and Korean food.

I am also a Buddhist. Which area has a bigger Buddhist community? Seoul or Busan? Does anyone know? Are there any particularly "Buddhist" areas or cities in Korea that you know of?

Thanks for the help Smile


A factor that you may not have considered - if you choose Busan you'll be much closer to Gyeongju; Namsan alone is reason enough for any Buddhist to go there. You might find yourself wanting to go explore that particular mountain more than a couple of times during your year in the south, not to mention all the other sites in the area.
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