Insa-dong

Streets where tradition lives on IInsa-dong, a vibrant neighborhood in heart of Seoul, has thrived for nearly 600 years since the Joseon Dynasty. Many international tourists visit Insa-dong for its unique atmosphere, a distinctive harmony between traditional and modern of Korea. In the time of the Joseon Dynasty, not far from Insa-dong, a small village was the home of Dohwaseo, a government office responsible for illustrating royal processions and events, and renowned Prime Ministers. Positioned amidst palaces to the north and municipal offices to the south, it served as a residence for bureaucrats. However, following the decline of the Joseon Dynasty, the office closed, leaving its workers unemployed. Subsequently, their descendants started selling artworks and painting tools on the street of Insa-dong, gradually transforming it into an antique arts street selling artworks and crafts, eventually becoming the current center of traditional culture and art. Insa-dong’s street hosts Ssamzigil, a complex cultural shopping mall, is a four-story building with a spiral hallway connecting each floor, from which its name is derived. The mall boasts over 70 stores selling traditional handicrafts, souvenirs, artworks, and tea. Don’t forget to explore the basement floor where you can make your own pottery, Korean traditional paper, and ceramic products. After visiting Ssamzigil, you may consider trying a cup of traditional Korean tea by visiting tea shops or tea houses along the street. Strolling through the alleyways, you’ll come across the Insa-dong Tourist Information Center, also known as the Insa-dong PR Center. Its main role is to provide information about local stores and restaurants, offering free tea and free traditional Korean costumes for visitors to experience.

Jogyesa, the central temple of Korean Buddhism was originally built in the late 14th century, during the Goryeo Dynasty but was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt since 1910 by a group of Buddhist monks. The ‘iljumun, or 'One Pillar Gate’, is the first thing you’ll see but without any doors. The gate is designed to remind visitors to leave all their worldly worries behind when entering a temple. Adjacent to the white pine tree, there's a statue of Buddha with an innocent smile, making visitors feel at home. The 'Daeungjeon' building is located right in the middle of the temple site. Daeungjeon Hall is the most important, largest, and significant building in Korean temples. The word ‘Daeungjeon’ means ‘the hall of a hero’ or more precisely, ‘the hall enshrining the statue of Sakyamuni.’ Many people visit to pray and see the mural depicting the life of Buddha adorning the wall of the Daeungjeon building, the Buddhist Bell of Jogyesa Temple, and the Central Buddhist Museum. In the front yard of Daeungjeon, you’ll see a ten-story octagonal stupa containing Buddhist relics. It was built in 2009 to replace the old Japanese-style pagoda after the Buddhist relics were brought here from Sri Lanka. If you enter the Daeungjeon Hall, please remain quiet and respectful of the Buddhists and monks praying and meditating. Moreover, Jogyesa Temple offers a temple-stay program for people to ease both their bodies and minds. The Buddhist shop sells interesting Buddhist goods and souvenirs. Right across from Jogyesa Temple, you’ll find the Temple Stay Information Center where you can find all the information you need about staying at any of the Korean Buddhist temples. If you feel the need to relax and soothe your mind, Jogyesa Temple might just be the place for you.

A stone pagoda containing Buddha’s relics can be found in the front yard, entrance, or back yard of a temple. The stone pagoda at Jogyesa Temple contains Buddha’s relics given to the temple by a Sri Lankan monk called Dharmapala in 1913, who was impressed by Korean Buddhism. He expressed this wish: “Let the people in Joseon of the East attain enlightenment.” The pagoda was constructed in October 2009 to eliminate the three poisonous elements of greed, hatred, and illusion, which are the sources of pain and suffering for all living beings. The absence of these elements allows people to awaken to the truth, achieve enlightenment, and eventually enter the world of nirvana. Therefore, the eight sides symbolize the Noble Eightfold Path, explaining the eight ways to achieve enlightenment. The ten stories represent the ten good deeds against the ten evil acts committed by the body, tongue, and mind. The outer parts are adorned with eight Buddha images, eight bodhisattvas, and eight divine guardians. Inside, a collection of about 14,000 small Buddha statues, part of the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha given by Venerable Dharmapala, is enshrined. Additionally, it houses one set of the seven books of the Lotus Sutra, printed by woodblocks at Ssanggyesa Temple in 1660. Together with the relic pagoda, this monument summarizes the history of the religion, from the establishment movement of the chief temple of Korean Buddhism to the recent history of the Jogye Order and Jogyesa over the last eighty years. By observing the pagoda, one can gain insight into the history of Korean Buddhism.