제주 관음사
Gwaneumsa Temple [관음사] is a Seon Buddhist temple located on Jeju-do [제주], an island off the southwest coast of the Korean peninsula.
Meditation
A key element of Seon Buddhism is koan meditation. This section will first start with an interactive activity. This will help the reader better understand what a koan is, and how it plays a role in a monk’s enlightenment. The koan that the reader will interact with will also be explained by a monk, which will help elaborate on three aspects of koan meditation that are followed to reach enlightenment. After this activity and explanation, there will be general information on the daily life of monks and their use of koan in their practice.
.
.
In this section, there will be a brief description of four dharmic instruments: Beomjong (temple bell), Beopgo (drum), Mokeo (wooden fish), & Unpan (cloud gong).
These instruments together often share similar events & practices that bring together monks, as well as each instrument’s background and specific events it is involved in.
Samul
(Four Dharmic Instruments)
.
.
.
.
Jogye Order Events
We will be discussing four events that Buddhists are a part of. There will be sections for two of the four major Buddhist holidays – Buddha’s Birthday & Renunciation Day. Renunciation Day is still fairly focused on Buddhism, while Buddha’s Birthday has become more of a cultural celebration, along with having Buddhist events. One of these Buddhist events is Yeongsanjae, which is a reenactment of the Lotus Sutra. Different from all of these, that will be discussed is the Winter Solstice event, which is based in Korean folk tradition but is also celebrated by Buddhists.
.
Gwaneumsa Temple, a Seon Buddhist site managed by the Jogye Order, sits at the base of Mt. Hallasan on Jeju Island. Notably, this mountain as well as other mountains on the peninsula have historically been a refuge for marginalized Buddhists. Built in the early 1900s despite local opposition, its location symbolizes societal marginalization yet physical centrality. This unique position makes it a “third place” in the community, serving as a neutral ground despite its social and geographical isolation.
A Third Place
A Third Place
Add a.
.
Censorship
The Gwaneumsa Temple, destroyed twice, notably during the Jeju Uprising, underwent reconstruction amidst censorship. Originating from protests against US occupation, the uprising resulted in the massacre of thousands and the temple’s destruction. For fifty years, any mention of the events led to severe punishment. Despite this, the temple was rebuilt in 1968, highlighting the unique circumstances. Exploring how this reconstruction under censorship influences worship will shed light on the interplay between religious spaces and state conflict.
.
Historical Timeline
Pronunciation Guide
Gwaneum-sa: Gwah + neum [eu = oo as in brook] + sah
Jogye Order: Joh [soft oh sound] + gye [the e is pronounced like eh]
Seon Buddhism: Suhn [eo = uh sound]
Jeju-do: Je [e = eh as above] + ju [u = ew] + do [dough]
Mt. Hallasan: Ha + lla [both soft ah] + sahn
Joseon = Choson: Joh + suhn [eo = uh sound]
Purpose:
During our creation of this website, there were two main points of this website, which base its discussion on the Jogye Order in Gwaneumsa Temple in Jeju Island. One of the main points sections revolves around the ritual aspects of the temple, and through answering the question: “What is the importance of meditation and rites to furthering the individual’s and the mass’ enlightenment?” The second main point is on the temple space and the impact external factors (such as censorship, historical events, and physical location) have had on Gwaneumsa Temple, and through answering the question: “how does the location—and, by extension, its history—modify a temple’s use as a ritual space?” The website will focus on both the rites of Seon Buddhism in Korea, such as the aspect of meditation and ritual aspects of festivals and other events held in Buddhist space, as well as location, its historic context, and the effects censorship and government conflicts has had on the Gwaneumsa Temple. Both of these main points blend together to create a better understanding, for our readers, of Gwaneumsa Temple.
Conclusion:
By the end of reading through this website, we hope the readers will be able to understand the rites and festivals of Seon Buddhism in Korea, as well as the importance of ritual space and how impactful location and history can be to temples, not just Gwaneumsa Temple. Throughout the project, we noticed a lack of translated knowledge on Korean Buddhism. Hopefully, this project can help organize more information on the Jogye Order, Seon Buddhism in Korea, and Gwaneumsa Temple.