Haedong Younggungsa Temple.
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Haedong Yonggungsa temple is nestled into the coastline of the East Sea and overlooks Haeundae Beach unlike most temples located deep in mountains. Some other temples are also situated near the sea, such as Hyangilam temple in Yeosu, Boriam in Namhae, and Hongryunam in Yangyang, but Yonggungsa is the only temple to offer the endless view of the sea directly from the vantage of the temple buildings. The scene exhibits the harmony of nature and masonry in traditional Korean architecture.

The temple is a must-see for visitors from other cities and abroad and all about the temple you may find many foreign visitors accompanied by interpreters. This is a unique atmosphere that presents a stark difference from ordinary temples.

At the entrance of the temple is inscribed Naong's poem which reads 'Green mountains tell me to live without words, and the blue sky tells me to live without flaws.' Naong, the royal advisor of King Gongmin, was a great monk who built the then called Bomunsa temple. It was renamed as Haedong Yonggungsa by the monk Jungam, now the head priest of the Buddhist temple since 1974.

The view of the deep-blue sea and expansive horizon from the temple is excellent, but more magnificent is the open-air Buddhist statues and pagodas around the temple. At the foot of the '108 stairs' stands a pagoda of traffic safety which is an altar to pray for the souls lost from car accidents. Coming down the 108 stairs, there are many other pagodas for having sons and to induce scholastic achievement.

At the start of the esplanade is the Yacksayeorae Healing Buddha known for its miraculous healing power for people with physical and mental diseases. It is dubbed as the stone Buddha in Gat (a Korean traditional hat with a wide round brim) in the East Sea, because it looks like the stone Buddha in Gat also found at Donghwasa temple in Mt. Palgong in Daegu.

After passing through the Burimun Gate, a visitor reaches Daeungjeon (a large Buddhist sanctum to enshrine Buddha) and Yonggungdan (an altar in the legendary sea palace), and behind them are stairs leading to Haesugwaneumdaebul (a statue symbolizing the Goddess of Mercy) a symbol of the East Sea. A bird's-eye view of the entire temple and the sea from this location is overwhelmingly beautiful. Unfortunately, Pine Wilt Disease has recently spread in the pine forest behind the temple. Doesn't Buddha have any ideas on how to cure foliage? (051)-722-7744

By Lee Heung-kon hung@kookje.co.kr