Tongdosa Temple April 6, 2015

Several weeks ago, we had the opportunity to visit Tongdosa Temple near Yangsan, about 2 hours southeast of Daegu.  Tongdosa Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in South Korea and is often called  “the temple without a Buddha” because it contains no outdoor statues of the Buddha.  Tongdosa was established by the monk Jajang after returning from China in 646 AD, during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla.

The first gate into the temple area

The architecture and attention to detail throughout the temple area are exquisite!

 

Inside the temple grounds is a museum housing 19 local treasures and 794 local cultural properties.  How fascinating to read about the history of this area and connect that information to what was happening in Biblical history during the same time periods.  We also learned quite a bit about the culture while exploring the museum, including the Korean symbols for DON’T TOUCH and NO PICTURES!

Along the walkway, preparations for the Lunar New Year celebrations had begun.

Beautiful cherry blossoms

The morning and evening gong

As we were exploring some of the buildings of the temple grounds, a young “monk-in-training” approached us.  He asked us questions about where we are from, what religion we practice, and wondered if we would like him to give us an individual tour. Thinking this opportunity may be a divine appointment, we gladly accepted.  He proceeded to show us to each of the buildings and explained which gods they represent.  He told us how the worshipers come to each area and pray for whatever problem they may be having that that particular god may answer.  He showed us the land god temple, the sea god temple, and the mountain god temple.  We had a good time learning from him and making a connection.  At one point, he was showing us what was labeled a “water bucket” when in reality it looked like a long canoe.  I explained to him that in English we would call that a water trough, not a bucket.  He quickly looked up the word “trough” on his translation app and replied, “Oh!  A manger….where your Jesus was born.”  While learning from and teaching each other brought a smile to my face, my heart cried out, “He is your Jesus, too!”

One of the temple buildings

Finally, he showed us into the main temple where some people were in the midst of bowing and praying to Buddha.  He also took off his shoes, bowed, and began praying.  At the same time, my heart was overwhelmed in lifting this young man to the one true God, Jehovah, Yahweh, King of kings, and Lord of lords.  I prayed and asked God to open his eyes, his heart, and his ears to the truth of who God is, who Jesus is.  I asked Him to send someone who would walk alongside and share with him the message of salvation.  I also asked the Lord to display His glory to this young man in a way that would be unmistakeable to him.  As we left, one of the kids said, “Well, that guy is going to be prayed for — for the rest of his life!”  May it ever be so…

While the area is beautiful, nestled in the mountains, surrounded by trees with a lovely stream running through the grounds, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sorrow for all that this area represents.  I have been reading through the Old Testament, and touring this temple area gave me a new understanding of what the people of the Bible must have looked like when they carved and worshipped their man-made gods … how heartbreaking it must have been for God to watch not only His creation but also His chosen people bow down to wooden statues or a golden calf.  As I sat down to write this post, I asked J to recall his impression of the tour and the day.  His response mirrors us all, “I felt so sad because all of those people are just lost.”  I am so thankful that God gave us this opportunity.  May we take it and use the experience to spur us on in spreading the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying:
Who should I send?
Who will go for Us?
I said:  Here I am. Send me.”  Isaiah 6:8

“How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace,
who brings news of good things,
who proclaims salvation,
who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7