Korean Job Discussion Forums

Zark

I sorely want to see a drum playing and bell ringing thing at a major temple. Probably going to Songnisan outside Daejon.

Is there a specific time of day when this is done? My impression is that it is prior to sunset and also at sunrise?

Knowledgeable info appreciated.

Hep me, hep me!

Zark · Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 4:34 am Post subject:

bump

any info would be helpful!

Thanks.

Big_Bird · Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 5:04 am Post subject:

bump

Me too - I'd actually like to know WHAT DAY is Buddha's birthday and then WHAT EVENTS are taking place in the Seoul area.

skookum · Joined: 11 Mar 2005

Buddha's birthday is Sunday, the 15th of May this year.

I guess we'll go to Bongamsa - this temple is only open to the public one day a year (Buddha's birthday) and is in a beautiful location in a very isolated valley at the foot of Mount Hwayang. It's southwest of Mungyeong-saejae. I'm as much up for the location as for the rest of it - I've heard it's a fantastic place.

Zark · Posted: Thu May 12, 2005 1:11 pm Post subject:

Big Bird,

The latern festival (don't know if that is what it is really called) is always on Buddha's Bday - always dramatic and great for taking photos.

I'm looking for somewhere that does the daily (twice daily) bell ringing, followed by drum playing followed by playing the wooden fish thing then playing the steel thingy . . . Saw it once at Pomosa in in Pusan - and it was super neat.

Skookym,

Where is this Mount Hwayang?

joe_doufu · Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Elsewhere

Hey, I'm a total korea newbie... I've only been here a week and I don't know where any of these mountains or temples are. Where should I go in the Seoul area to see something interesting happen on Sunday?

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

last year I went to Bongwonsa, I think in hangeul it would be ��?

Anyhow it's close to Yonsei university but a little hard to give directions to- jump in a cab anywhere near that area and it should cost about 2,000 won. There will be stuff happening all day, with a big drumming display on around sunset/7pm. It was great last year, loads of people dancing and drinking on the road up to the temple, masses of lanterns- just a load of fun.

Zark · Posted: Fri May 13, 2005 10:52 am Post subject:

I called the tourist 1330 number. For the temple at Songnisan the drum bell ceremony will be at 6:30. So, as SJ has suggested about sunset or close to it. They said 6:30 to 7:30 followed by the latern lighting.

Should be great. Charging up the camera battery right now!

Hope everyone has a great time. I think it is the best event of the year.

Enjoy!

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

this is one of those holidays where you should really appreciate living in asia, bitch and whine all you want about people nudging you on the subway the rest of the year, but stuff like Sunday is the reason you thought Korea would be exciting in the first place.