Kingdoms and Culture a *Two for one

 *This an article that I was asked to write for the schools newspaper so I knew it could easily double as a much needed blog post, hence two for one!


We are influenced by our culture. It does not matter if you are American, Asian, Australian or European, you are shaped, formed by the culture of the country where you were born and raised.

As an American born citizen of the United States, to American born parents, I was shaped by my American culture. So I enjoy all things American like, French fries, pizza, apple pie, freedom of speech and freedom of choice, baseball, football and basketball. I really love football and of course Independence Day, The 4th of July! I appreciate my country and all of the experiences that it has afforded me and feel blessed and privileged to be born in a free and open society.

But just because I am American and a Christian this does not prevent me from enjoying the culture, history or customs of another country. Recently I took a trip to Gyeongju, capital of the historic Silla Kingdom, for what in America we call: R and R or rest and recreation, a term used by the military for when the soldiers take a leave from their assigned post.

It was a scenic journey shared with other middle and high school ESL colleagues from the Gyeonggi school district which included visits to two historic Buddhist sites: Soekguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple.

As our buses traveled south towards our destination I watched the change in the landscape. The city sites of apartments or hi-rises as we call them back home gave way to rice fields and mountain ranges. I began to see more traditional sloping roof tops and slanted corners on family dwellings and businesses. After a few welcomed rest stops we arrived at our lunch stop where we dined on one of my favorite Korean meals, Bibimbap!

We literally did a “dine and dash” and then on to our first site tour. The winding path to the top of the mountain seemed never ending. As we were ascending the mountain, I thought of perhaps the thousands of others who made this trek hundreds of years ago, hiking up and then down again, carving out the initial path that is now a modern road.

Then once we arrived, having gone as far as our bus could take us; we continued in the way of those pioneers of old and began to continue the ascent on foot.

It was a delightful walk, in spite of the misty rain and the muddied sandy path. I kept getting visions of “fern gulley” as I saw chipmunks scurrying and tiny frogs jumping. At times there were massive steps to negotiate but no members in our group were deterred as we moved ahead.

I can definitely understand the intent of the Korean culture to be one with nature and embrace the beauty of the mountainous terrain of this country. I have so enjoyed every hike that I’ve taken into the mountains since coming here 14 months ago.

As I began to climb the asymmetrical stone stairs with the others, I noticed a moth, with a yellow body that had become stuck upside down; its tiny legs flailing in the air. I passed it by but then stepped back to rescue it from its certain end of life, beneath the unsuspecting foot of a visitor. I am a lover of nature and all of the handiwork of God and it just seemed like the right thing to do. Turning it upright I’d placed it on my arm thinking that it would fly away now, but instead it began to walk up of course. So I decided to drop it off onto a tree leaf and continued on the hike.

When we reached the Seokguram Grotto I was surprised to find Buddhist worshipers actively engaged in prayer as I took a glance at the enormous statue of Buddha that they were seated before. Then while taking note of the sign which read “no photo’s please” I had this eerie and weird overwhelming sense that I was not supposed to be there observing someone’s private prayer time. I imagined it as if I were at my church and there was a tour group gathering as I prayed to Jesus. So I made my way through the narrow entrance, exiting on the opposite side past someone seated at a table with what looked like a guest book.

Later I learned that it was a book to sign if you wanted prayer. I managed to gain some knowledge about the Buddhist regarding prayer, like how they place name card like tags on lanterns suspended from above with the name of a loved one who’s in need of prayer or of one who has passed on. Or they will make a prayer request and leave a rock behind in a pyramidal shaped pile or stacked like mini pagodas. In America we sometimes bring the name of a loved one in similar fashion and place it on the altar in the church sanctuary.

Moving on to the other Temple Bulguksa, there was a similar feeling as people were also worshiping. So yet again I steered clear. But I was surprised to suddenly hear singing and it was very pleasant. This too revealed another similarity in the worship experience of Christians and Buddhist.

The centuries old complex was fascinating with many of its ancient relics. I’ve often seen images of pagodas in America in various Asian businesses and gardens but did not know that there was a meaning and purpose behind it. I simply looked at it from an architectural and far east cultural aspect. It was sad to know that much of the original structures had been destroyed by fire set by the Japanese, but in the diligent way of the Korean people it was restored, even using some of the stones of what remained from the original foundation; which the same can be said of any people who are proud of their heritage.

There were many more interesting ancient facts about this complex like the towering guardian deities at the gate each assigned to guard a direction of the world or how once one has ascended the “Blue and White Cloud Bridges” and are within the complex interior, those who are of this faith believe that they are in Buddha heaven. In Christianity we only have one God and with the acceptance of Christ you have a blessed assuredness that your final resting place is heaven, but it was peaceful.

The highlight of the trip for me was the show in the outdoor arena. Seeing the men performing various acrobatic stunts and precision archery while riding on horses was great! And the horses were beautiful.

I learned that it is often used as a location for Korean Drama’s. In one way I was reminded of an old western town then in the arena I felt as if I were in the days of the old Greek or Roman coliseums where gladiators fought until death or instead of man and horse it may have been man against lion! I really have an overactive imagination. LOL

I enjoyed this trip immensely with the show of camaraderie among fellow teachers. I was able to forge some new friendships and reconnect with some others that I have met since joining the Gimpo Girls Middle School staff. I only wished that we had the chance to visit more of the historical sites in Gyeongju, although I did get to see some of the tombs of former kings and queens at our final stop for dinner before heading back to Gimpo.


Interestingly enough after returning to my place in Wondang I was asked by a friend where did I go, well jokingly I said, “I went to Buddha Land” when in actuality that’s what it is called.