Baeknyeonsa
 
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© John Holstein 2006
 
 
 
 
Daeungjeon (the Main Buddha Hall) is the second building from the left.
 
 
 
 
 
In the Main Buddha Hall.
 
 
 
 
Many stupas serve as reliquary of a Buddhist saint.
 
 
 
Beaknyeonsa overlooks a bay of the South Sea.
 
 
 
The names of the contributors are written on the tags hanging from these lanterns hanging from the ceiling in the Main Buddha Hall. These lanterns perform a function similar to votive candles; they represent prayers for good health, prosperity, etc., for the contributor's family.
 
 
 
Judgement Hall, featuring the Bodhisattva of Rescue (aka Bodhisattva of Hells) in the center, with the Kings of Hells on either side. Note that all of the lotus lanterns in this hall are white -- these lanterns represent prayers for the deceased.
 
 
 
 
 
Ungjinjeon, the Hall of Arhats. Note the unusual colors in the painting behind the Buddha. Taenghwa are usually done in the five bright dancheong colors, but here we have basically black and gold. Brian Barry, Buddhist artist: "This [and the red taenghwa on another wall] is a fairly common genre of temple paintings. This gold on red or gold on black probably was derived from the old Shilla sutras written in gold, which feature drawings of guardians in gold as well, on gamji, a dark blue paper. The idea caught on for red and black backgrounds as well, but there is no research on when exactly these types of paintings began, although [it was] probably in the late 19th century, with the black ones being more modern versions -- I haven't seen any that are dated earlier than the 20th century C.E. I understand that there are Tibetan hongtaenghwa [red taenhwa] as well... Note that the system is the same -- only flesh is painted, with all the lines being done in gold."
 
 
 
 
 
Ungjinjeon, Hall of the Arhats.
 
 
 
 
 
I asked Buddhist artist Brian Barry why they would hang a picture that they hadn't finished yet, and he informed me that this is a red version of the black taenghwa (which we see in the Hall of Arhats).
 
 
 
 
 
Monk's quarters.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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