மூன்றாம் கண்: May 2004

2548th Birthday of Buddha at Yongwasa, Tongyoung, Korea.
Photo by N.Kannan

King Asoka (?273-232 BC) is responsible for the spread of Buddism to the world. At the background is his Stupa.

Photo by N.Kannan

Asoka's pillar - foreground visitors quarters.
Photo by N.Kannan

It is interesting to note that Vegetarianism which is the main stream of Indian life spread to the East along buddism. Here is a 100% vegetarian meal. A free meal in a temple as it is still practiced in India is a common scean in Korean temples as well.
Photo by N.Kannan

The Canadian, Indian, Korean team enjoying a free meal at the temple.
Photo by N.Kannan

We donated a lotus on the lotus feet of Buddha on his birthday.
Photo by N.Kannan

After a sumptuous meal, it is only courteous to pay a donation. We donated a lamp with our names on it.

Photo by N.Kannan

King Asoka of India was important as Buddha in spreading buddism worldwide. The Stupa behind with four lions facing four directions is taken as a logo in Indian currency.
Photo by N.Kannan

A sea of lotus in the evening light ready to be lit.
Photo by N.Kannan

Kimchy and Buddism go hand in hand in Korea. The bell tower in the foreground of Kimchy jars!
Photo by N.Kannan

Temple bells ring only when there is a call for prayer. The monk rings the bell 33 times on Buddha's birthday.
Photo by N.Kannan

Lotus, lotus everywhere taking us towards enlightenment!
Photo by N.Kannan

Lotus flower represents several things in Indian religions. Lotus in light is a superb symbolism as well.
Photo by N.Kannan

Asoka is remembered as well in Yongwasa on Buddha's birthday!
Photo by N.Kannan

Standing in the midst of lited lanterns with mystical symbols is indeed mesmerizing!
Photo by N.Kannan

A lantren procession around the temple ended the show.
Photo by N.Kannan

A glorious light show in front of Buddha's aboard (look carefully the statue of Buddha in the background)
Photo by N.Kannan

The final salute to Buddha on his 2548 Birthday!
Photo by N.Kannan

Catch him Dead or Alive! An understanding of death is essential for proper living, so said Buddha. A dead butterfly inside a water filled jar in the temple.
Photo by N.Kannan

Any celebration without the little ones are no fun. Here is a Korean girl in silk suit. It reminded me of Indian festivals with children in silk (pattu pavadai).
Photo by N.Kannan

Sun rays reflect on the oyster bed
Photo by N.Kannan

We finished our tour of the day with this gorgeous sunset.
Photo by N.Kannan

Oyster bed - a close up!
Photo by N.Kannan

Dead oyster shell becomes substratum for other shells to grow.
Photo by N.Kannan

Between two ladies...well statues only! You know they are shy :-) This reminds me of a statue of a paper boy in Kiel, Germany. I shall post that picture when I get it!
Photo by N.Kannan

From the hillside you get such fantastic views all through Korea!
Photo by N.Kannan

Korea is blessed with thousands of calm bays like this. Oyster culture is a million dollor business here. Labour intensive industry of this sort employ men from China and Indonesia. We met a few of them on the way.
Photo by N.Kannan

Dr.Richard Addison and Jean Addison from Canada were with me during this trip. We got into a western style coffee shop with all sorts of coffess from Express, Cappucino, Mocha etc. Strangely they do not serve anything to go with! When we insisted they bought a cake from the neighbouring bakery. A real birthday cake!! Happy birthday Siddhartha :-)
Photo by N.Kannan