Monks are Groovy

My Lonely Planet failed me this time.  In the section on Jogyesa, the largest Buddhist shrine in Seoul, there's a one-sentence mention of the bells: "They are banged 28 times at 4am and 33 times at 6pm."  Luckily, Vroni and I decided to check it out anyway, despite the lackluster treatment in my guidebook.

And it was the most incredible, awe-inspiring, peaceful, beautiful, religious, cosmically grand thing I've ever experienced.  I left that evening going, "I am meant to be Buddhist."  

We had time to walk around the very small complex before 6 PM.  When 6 PM, hit, though, we stopped in our tracks and stared up in wonder at the bell pavillion (pictured at left) as a crazy old monk rocked out on the giant, ancient Buddha drums/bells.  There's a dum to summon earthbound animals, a wooden fish-shaped gong to summon aquatic beings, a metal could-shaped gong to summon birds, and a large bronze bell to summon underground creatures. 


Because it was dark outside, the golden, smiling presence of the three giant Buddhas seemed even more impressive and welcoming.

Seriously, though, watch at least part of this video, where a monk grooves hardcore on the drums.  It was quite dark out, so you can't see anything, but the sounds speak for themselves.  And then just pretend you're listening in the chilly evening air with three golden Buddhas smiling down on you.  Now, that's a religious experience!