Sunday, May 12, 2013

Kim Jong Un is causing us to miss this place too!

(click on image to enlarge)


Seogguram Grotto
Watercolour and crayon
©2013 Charlene Brown

The Seogguram Grotto, Republic of Korea National Treasure No. 24, was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995. It was completed in 774 CE in conjunction with the Bulguksa Temple, during the famous Silla Dynasty – Ironically, considering the situation today, this was the dynasty that united the entire Korean peninsula a thousand years ago.
The grassy hill behind the entrance to the grotto shown near the top of the ravine in this picture covers the Rotunda, which contains some of the most highly regarded Buddhist sculpture in the world, including a Seokgamoni Buddha, the historic Buddha at the moment of enlightenment, that is almost five meters high.