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- images of SORAK-SAN -

Soraksan
- in mist, - view into the Chohangnyong valley between Ulsanbawi and Chipsonbong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- in mist -, the foothills below Chipsonbong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- in mist -, view from the Ssangchon River valley -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- a closer view of the mist shrouded peaks -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- a final view from below Chipsonbong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Now a series of images from Chipsonbong / Kwonkumsong in sunshine - - - Very different from the above cloud- and mist pictures.

Soraksan
- view from Chipsongbong at Kwonkumsong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- view from Kwonkumsong, - Ssang-chon river and the Chohangnyoung valley deep below -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- view from Kwonkumsong / Chipsonbong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- view towards Kumganggul cave from Chipsonbong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- view to the strange Ulsan-bawi rock -
(Photography by Karsten petersen)

Soraksan
- view from Kwonkumsong -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- view into the Chonbuldong Valley from the Kumgangkul cave -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- the wild, wild Chonbuldong Valley -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
Another stunning view into the Chonbuldong Valley, - near the Kumgangul cave -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Soraksan
- Chonbuldong valley view -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

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Shinghung-sa

Now some pictures of the most important temple site in Sorak-san, - the Shinghung-sa - , placed in a stunning setting -

Shinghung-sa Temple
- the remaining pagoda at the original Shinhungsa Temple site -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

This pagoda does not look like much, but actually it is the original pagoda from the first Zen Buddhist temple complex built at this site way back in year 652,- and as mentioned in the beginning of this chapter-, Zen Buddhism is still taught in the present days Shinhungsa temple, making it the oldest zen temple in the world.
Not even in China you can find anything that comes near,- not by many centuries!
The buildings of the original temple from 652 does not exist anymore,- they have burned several times, last time in 1645 -, and after that, the temple was rebuilt at the present location not far from the old pagoda.

Shinghung-sa Temple
- between the old pagoda and present days Shinghung-sa is this big Buddha -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa Temple
- here it is,- with a tradition of Zen Buddhist teachings that goes back for almost 1400 years -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa temple
- a view through the main gate -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa
- the temple guardians -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa
- inside the temple grounds -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa
- another view -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa
- the temple grounds, - take note of the stunning setting -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

Shinghung-sa
- temple detail, - here a carved door -
(Photography by Karsten Petersen)

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   Updated: June 23rd. 2003
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