Koreans who take up wood carving often seem to develop an obsession with certain parts of the body, particularly the penis.
Browsing the archives for the Korean culture category
27 Jul 10
0 Comments
Posted in Bulguk-dong, Korean culture, Other, Statues & carvings, guest writer
Tagged carving, weird, wood carving
Tagged carving, weird, wood carving
29 May 10
Along with temples, ancient Buddhas, and funny-shaped boulders, Mt. Namsan (남산) has also been blessed with a fair number of kalguksu (칼국수) restaurants. If you’ve not tried it before, Kalguksu is a hot and hearty noodle soup; perfect after a hike. Kalguksu literally means “knife noodles” as the noodles are cut by hand and quite [...]
0 Comments
Posted in Food & drink, Namsan-dong, Restaurants, Tips for tourists
Tagged kalguksu, Korean food, Namsan, pajeon, Restaurants, Samneung valley, Seochulji Pond, soup, Vegetarian food
Tagged kalguksu, Korean food, Namsan, pajeon, Restaurants, Samneung valley, Seochulji Pond, soup, Vegetarian food
26 May 10
By Don Baumhart
If you want a glimpse into the soul of traditional Korean culture, you should try to experience grace and charm of the Korean tea ceremony. Like its Japanese counterpart, the Korean tea ceremony is meditation in motion. Each slow and mindful movement is carefully choreographed from start to finish. As in meditation, the [...]
1 Comment
Posted in Buddhist culture, Food & drink, Korean culture, guest writer, history
Tagged Culture, Green tea, history, Tea, Tea Ceremony, Traditional
Tagged Culture, Green tea, history, Tea, Tea Ceremony, Traditional
18 May 10
I mentioned a few weeks ago Dongguk University held it’s lantern-lighting ceremony in honor of Buddha’s Birthday on April 29th. As it turned out, the 29th was also declared a National Day or Mourning in honor of the 46 sailors who died in the sinking of the “Cheonan” on March 26th. Unfortunately this meant all [...]
0 Comments
Posted in Buddhist culture, Festivals, Gyeongju, holidays
Tagged Buddhism, Dongguk University, fesitvals, Gyeongju, holidays, Nabichun, Pansori, Samulnor, Spring, traditional dance, traditional music
Tagged Buddhism, Dongguk University, fesitvals, Gyeongju, holidays, Nabichun, Pansori, Samulnor, Spring, traditional dance, traditional music
15 May 10
The other Sunday the sun was finally shining after a solid week of rain. My wife and I hopped in the car and took off to explore the countryside determined to enjoy some of the hard-earned Spring weather. As luck would have it, we drifted back some country roads going west out of town, and [...]
0 Comments
Posted in Buddhist culture, Gyeongju, Sites to see, Temples & shrines
Tagged architecture, Bodhisattva, Buddhism, Cave shrine, Countryside, Flowers, Gyeongju, Mt. Eorimsan, Nae Tae Villiage, Pear Flowers, Spring, temples, Villiages
Tagged architecture, Bodhisattva, Buddhism, Cave shrine, Countryside, Flowers, Gyeongju, Mt. Eorimsan, Nae Tae Villiage, Pear Flowers, Spring, temples, Villiages
12 May 10
Coming up in about a week and a half is my absolute favorite holiday in Korea: Seokga Tanshinil (석가탄신일), or Buddha’s Birthday. Every temple in Korea celebrates Buddha’s Birthday one way or another. Most hang lanterns, have special ceremonies and serve a special group lunch or dinner for parishioners. A few of the larger or [...]
2 Comments
Posted in Buddhist culture, Bulguk-dong, Gyeongju, Statues & carvings, Temples & shrines, Tips for tourists, holidays
Tagged ancient carvings, architecture, Buddha's Birthday, Buddhism, Bulguksa, Golgulsa, Gyeongju, holidays, lantern parade, Seokkuram, Seonmudo, sights to see, Spring, temples, Tips for tourists, video
Tagged ancient carvings, architecture, Buddha's Birthday, Buddhism, Bulguksa, Golgulsa, Gyeongju, holidays, lantern parade, Seokkuram, Seonmudo, sights to see, Spring, temples, Tips for tourists, video
4 May 10
Continued from Part 1:
5. The Buddha Boulder (부처바위) of Tapgol Valley (탑골): Tucked behind the quaint beauty of Oknyeongam Hermitage (옥룡암) in Tapgol (pagoda) Valley is a large rock outcropping covered with Buddhist carvings. There are dozens of cryptic images including meditating Buddhas, flying Devas, pagodas, and even winged lions! The quiet magic of [...]
2 Comments
Posted in Buddhist culture, Gyeongju, Statues & carvings, Tips for tourists, Top 10, history
Tagged ancient carvings, Buddhism, Byeondosan, cycling, Geumgangsan, Gyeongju, hiking, history, Namsan, ruins, Seokkuram, Shilla Dynasty, sights to see, Tips for tourists, Top 10
Tagged ancient carvings, Buddhism, Byeondosan, cycling, Geumgangsan, Gyeongju, hiking, history, Namsan, ruins, Seokkuram, Shilla Dynasty, sights to see, Tips for tourists, Top 10
1 May 10
The other week my wife and I were walking through an older neighborhood of Gyeongju on our way downtown to grab a burger at McDonalds (Yeah, yeah. I know, but she’s pregnant. I’m not going to argue.) About a block from the courthouse, we turned the corner and stumbled on something we’d not seen since [...]
0 Comments
Posted in Buddhist culture, Gyeongju, Seonggeon-dong, Temples & shrines, history
Tagged architecture, Buddhism, downtown, Gyeongju, history, Japanese occupation, Modern History, photography, Soto Zen, temples
Tagged architecture, Buddhism, downtown, Gyeongju, history, Japanese occupation, Modern History, photography, Soto Zen, temples
28 Apr 10
One of the cool things about Gyeongu is that it’s literally covered with ancient stone Buddhas from the Unified Shilla Dynasty (통일 신라), most dating back to around the 7th or 8th centuries C.E. Very little is generally known about the sculptors who chiseled out these masterpieces way back when, though they were probably carved [...]
1 Comment
Posted in Buddhist culture, Gyeongju, Statues & carvings, Tips for tourists, Top 10, history
Tagged ancient carvings, Buddhism, Byeondosan, cycling, Geumgangsan, Gyeongju, hiking, history, Namsan, ruins, Shilla Dynasty, sights to see, Tips for tourists, Top 10
Tagged ancient carvings, Buddhism, Byeondosan, cycling, Geumgangsan, Gyeongju, hiking, history, Namsan, ruins, Shilla Dynasty, sights to see, Tips for tourists, Top 10
