[K-UNESCO Adventures 2022] Past and Present Come Together at Magoksa Temple| Vlog

In the heart of South Korea, in Chungcheongnam-do province, there is a city that holds many UNESCO world heritages. Welcome to Gongju. In Gongju City, there are many treasures from the eras of Baekje and the Silla Kingdom, but today's destination is just one, the Magoksa Temple. When you arrive at Magoksa, you can see that the temple is divided into southern and northern areas, with a stream flowing in between. The transparent water flowing symbolizes our constant movement and evolution. To go from one side to another, it's necessary to walk across a beautiful bridge illuminated. Crossing this bridge means moving from the secular world to the enlightened world of Buddha. The bridge brightens the journey and every step taken towards Buddha is a step towards enlightenment. Once you complete your path by following Buddha's teachings, you can achieve enlightenment. A large yard of the northern area, there is the Daegwangbojeon, the main hall where monks and believers practice their faith. In front of Daegwangbojeon, there is a five-story stone pagoda from the 14th century. If you look closely, you'll notice that it has something different from other pagodas. What would that be? This is a Tibetan-style bronze finial decoration placed on the top of the stone pagoda. It proves that there was a considerable cultural exchange between Korea and the Yuan dynasty. This five-story stone pagoda was built during the Goryeo dynasty and it is registered as a natural cultural treasure. Yongsanjeon Hall is the oldest building among all the structures of Magoksa Temple. It is said that the calligraphy on the front signboard is the imperial handwriting of King Sejong, the seventh king of the Joseon period, done when he visited the site. In between Yongsanjeon Hall and Daegwangbojeon Hall, there is a juniper tree that was planted by Kim Gu, an independence activist, after Korea was liberated from Japanese colonialism. You can see many pictures and signs of the time Kim Gu resided here. He was a refugee and joined the monastic order under the Buddhist name Won Jeong after preserving justice to the death of the Empress Myeongseong. Magoksa Temple is a place that was home to national warriors in the distant past. Today, it also welcomes warriors of the modern era who want to take a rest from their daily battles. At the temple, people of different nationalities, ages, and cultures unite as a large community. Visitors can participate in the tea ceremony and try handmade activities such as crafting bracelets and creating paintings that are portraits of life. Side by side, people share their stories, their thoughts, and their smiles. They impact each other's lives. Spending time at the temple is more than a break from our fast-paced routines. When you do a temple stay in Magoksa Temple, you get a new insight into your life. You become part of a community. Alone, we can do so little. Together, we can do so much.