Why aren't there more?

A pagoda praying for traffic safety. Why isn't there one of these on every block?
My experience with traffic in Korea is mostly like below. The green walk man means nothing to these drivers.

Haedong Yonggungsa - Busan Part Two

There's a lot of things at this temple that I didn't take pictures of or mention (and I won't).
No, I'm not going to make your life easier by telling you.

Anyways, Buddha Santa Claus. (Their description, not mine)

His proper name is Podaehwasang or Mandeokbul. (One thing I have learned about Buddhism is the many of the central figures have multiple names and incarnations.)

Hall of the Dragon King. (Yonggungdan) Everyone knows that dragons deserve pimped out pads.

................for obvious reasons. That and Buddha apparantly rides a dragon when it is appropriate to do so.

Here, have some merciful goddess. This statue is the Sea Kwaynin Buddha and is known for granting the wishes for those who pray for it. This seems to entitle this statue to the best view and you can see the entire temple from up here.

 

I believe this statue is of the the Yaksa Bodhisatva (Yaksa Yeoraebul) who is associated with mercy from death. They ritually release animals back into the ocean here.

I've probably gotten it a bit off but from what I have been told, a bodhisatva is someone who has attained enlightenment but instead of ascending to nirvana they remain on a lower plane to assist mortals.

There's a lot at this temple I haven't touched on. I will caution you that it is mildly steep and there are a lot stairs. (No, it's not wheelchair accessible) So, last thing here.
The pig is representative of a large family and wealth. >:3

Here we are by the golden pigs, hoping it helps.

Haedong Yonggungsa - Busan

This temple is a good bit out from the rest of the city. There's quite a lot going on here and , like a great many many places in Korea, was burned down by the Japanese at one stage or another. In this case, it was during the 16th Century (?) and it was rebuilt during the 1930s.

No, not by the Nazis (Le sigh)

Naturally, we have some Zodiac animals doing their thing.
Can't have a temple without some representation.
Apparantly this is the only temple in Korea with the animals sculpted.

The temple was extremely crowded and the paths narrow so there was a lot I couldn't take pictures with. It didn't help that I was standing on a bridge either or relying on my camera phone.

Above is Samcheongji. (Three blue ponds......there were originally three) People toss money into the ponds aiming for the bowls. It's meant to be great luck if you can toss it into the bowl held by the statue. There were lots of people trying their luck here.

 

 

In general, this temple has a beautiful setting. What surprised me was how close it was to the shore.



While swimming is probably ill-advised you can certainly walk down the rocks to the water easy enough. The weather was pleasant for January but I imagine it's a lot less welcoming in the rain.