Bongwonsa Temple, Spring

Pastel Painting of Bongwonsa Temple in Seoul, South Korea

See more of my artwork of South Korea on Flickr and www.melissaenderle.com

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Azaleas and lanterns by the Bongwonsa temple building, Seoul, South Korea #melissaenderle, #southkorea, #discoversouthkorea, #koreanfestival, #koreantemple, #buddhist_temple, #temple, #lanterns, #azaleas, #flowers, #springflowers, #koreaspring, #buddhabirthday, #madisonphotographymeetup, #travelphotography, #ig_worldphoto, #amazingnature, #pink, #bongwonsa

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Bongwonsa's Preparations for Buddha

Temples around South Korea are preparing for the upcoming celebrations of Buddha's birthday. Bongwonsa Temple, located a pleasant forested walk from my school, is no exception. Although its collection of lanterns (these were mostly of the plastic variety) is not as extensive as others I've seen, the display definitely adds a colorful splash to the courtyard area. 

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Lotus and distant Bongwonsa Temple building, Seoul #melissaenderle, #southkorea, #bongewonsatemple, #koreanarchitecture, #lotuses #temple, #buddhism, #bongwonsa, #seoul, #discoversouthkorea,#madisonphotographymeetup, #travelphotography, #ig_worldphoto

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Bongwonsa Temple - Destruction and Reconstruction

Although the Bongwonsa temple was founded in 889 AD, wars and fires resulted in the destruction of several subsequent temples. The main Judgement Hall was built in 1994. Inside this building, some of the 50 resident monks were engaged in a ceremony. A smaller building contained white ceramic oil lamps, neatly arranged. Yet another contained statues of several male figures with pointed beards. Photos of people (perhaps deceased) lined the altar. From the ceiling, papers containing what I presumed were written prayers dangled from the ceiling. 

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Bongwonsa Buddhist Temple

Although it was hot and very humid, a group of colleagues from school went for a hike to visit a nearby Buddhist temple. Traversing through the woods in the hilly area quickly made me feel like I wasn’t in the middle of a megacity. 

The Bongwonsa Buddhist temple contained a series of buildings whose style differed quite a bit from the Buddhist structures I had seen in other countries such as Thailand, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Reminding me of photos I had seen of the Korean palaces, the temple buildings were brightly painted and had roofs that seemed to fan upward. Such beautiful details! I clicked away and captured at least some of the decorations and patterns before the group wanted to move on forward.

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Water Lotus Bloom by Temple Doors, Late Afternoon. Bongwonsa Temple, Seoul, South Korea #melissaenderle, #southkorea, #bongwonsatemple, #koreanarchitecture, #lotus #temple, #buddhism, #bongwonsa, #seoul, #doors, #discoversouthkorea,#madisonphotographymeetup, #travelphotography, #ig_worldphoto

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Color Pencil: Lotuses and Lattice, Bongwonsa

My latest color pencil drawing Lotuses and Lattice, Bongwonsa

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Bongwonsa Temple and Snowy Bushes

Another wintry view of one of the temple buildings of Bongwonsa Buddhist temple in Seoul

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Through the Paneled Doorway. Bongwonsa Temple, Seoul, South Korea #melissaenderle, #southkorea, #bongwonsatemple, #koreanarchitecture, #cat, #temple, #buddhism, #bongwonsa, #seoul, #doors, #meditation, #discoversouthkorea, #madisonphotographymeetup, #travelphotography, #ig_worldphoto

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Winter at Bongwonsa Temple

The freshly fallen snow enhanced the tranquility of the scene at Bongwonsa Temple in Seoul. An easy hike from my school, I love how the area transports me to what feels like a totally different area.

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눈 Patterns in the Snow

If autumn leaves and spring blossoms can create beautiful patterns, why not snow? 

An exploration of Bongwonsa Temple, focusing on winter patterns. 

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White Beauties, late afternoon light. Bongwonsa Buddhist Temple. Seoul, South Korea #southkorea #koreanculture #discoversouthkorea #korea #seoul_korea #buddhism #temple #azalea #flowers #flowerpower #white #flowers_super_pics #flowerstagram #flowermagic #spring #thecameracompany #madisonphotographymeetup #asiaphotography #thisisasia #exploreasia #southeastasia #passionpassport #instatravel #travelasia #ig_asia #beautifulseasia

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Magenta and Cream Lotuses

Taking advantage of the pleasant temperatures of the early morning, I visited Bongwonsa Temple in the vicinity of school. Although the potted lotuses appeared to be on the wane, there still were some to admire. Most were magenta/pink, while a few were a creamy white.

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Tickle My Beard!

Amidst the sea of lotuses at Bongwonsa Temple stood this stone haetae - a mythical beast of Korea and China resembling a lion-dog with horns. I love how the pink blossoms seemed to be tickling the beast's beard.

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Celestial Beings and Trompe l'oeil

These angelic-like celestial beings appearing on the Bongwonsa Temple are similar to those I've seen on other Buddhist temples in Korea. I like the combination of relief woodwork along with the mural paintings. The wooden column has a nice example of a Trompe 'oeil effect, made to look like an actual curtained fabric.

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Lotuses at the Bongwonsa Temple

Adorning the grounds of the temple complex were large pots containing lotuses. These were brought here for a special lotus festival. A very common symbol in both Hinduism and Buddhism, it represents spiritual perfection, mental purity, enlightenment, and wisdom. The beauty of the buds, greens, and blooms definitely enhanced the beauty of the place.

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Autumn Beginnings, Seoul

Although I should have been working on my report cards, I instead went out for a walk. The lure of potential autumn trees, combined with the gorgeous fall weather, was just too much. I went to one of my favorite neighborhood places, the Bongwonsa temple. Thankfully, a few trees had begun to change, giving me some photographic fodder.

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A Walk to the Lotuses

After spending several busy days at school in meetings and preparing for the beginning of school, I took advantage of the sunny morning to go for a walk to the Buddhist temple near our school in Seoul. Each August I have gone to the Bongwonsa temple's annual lotus festival. Although it was still quite early in the morning, the temperature and humidity had already combined to make a rather warm walk. Thankfully, the journey to the temple would be mostly under the shade of the forest. The sweet scent of jasmine on some bushes along the path enhanced the experience.

 In the open area where colorful lanterns once provided a rainbow shade, a sea of lotus plants now transformed the scene. Most lotuses were light pink or magenta, but others were white or cream. 

Despite the heat, I was intent on capturing different views - it's hard NOT to photograph such beauty! 

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Snow Queen and the Frosted Bushes

As I glanced outside my window, it was as if a voice beckoned me, calling me to come out and meet her. Mesmerized with the scene before me, I obliged, casting aside my work obligations and letting my artistic instincts take over. Knowing that I didn't have a lot of time before nightfall emerged, I headed to one of the nearest picturesque spots - Bongwonsa Temple. 

Here, a female white statue welcomed me, like a snow queen amidst the frosted bushes. 

The main temple and surrounding forest was all painted in the same wintry white - quite a stark contrast to the pink blossoms I painted there in spring.  

The snow queen did her magic here as well, enveloping the already tranquil scene with an extra layer of calmness.

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