Jogyesa Temple

While on my way to Insadong I found this temple just a few short blocks away. The outside was very interesting, but I had to peer on the inside to get a glimpse of what everyone else was kneeling to. If I understood a local who gave me some insight correctly, there are murals painted on the outside depicting the many different gods one can pray to; one for prosperity, one for luck, health, etc. When someone is praying to these gods it is to address an issue or concern in their life at the moment. I only wish he would have explained the big golden dude inside the temple...

Buddhism came to Korea from China around the fourth Century. The temple was built in 1937. In 1954 the Buddhist Purification movement started at Jogyesa Temple with the intent on eliminating residual Japanese influence and preventing further invasions. There are influences of indigenous shamanist beliefs. Many of the mountain temples have sections dedicated to shamanist dieties that date back over a thousand years.