User:May Thet Myat Noe/sandbox

All of us know that South Korea has rich cultural heritage and most of them are recognized as UNESCO cultural heritage. The historical background of Korea's Cultural Heritage Sites is diverse, encompassing the history of Korea from ancient times(Dolmen sites) to the Joseon dynasty. The sites embody a wide variety of values from tidy artistic spirit to scientific rationality as witnessed in the traditional architecture of royal palaces or temples. A total of thirteen Korean cultural sites are registered on the list of World Cultural Heritage divided into Natural Heritage Sites, Intangible Cultural Heritage, and so on. Among these, I would like to discuss the most famous Cultural Heritage in Korea recognized by UNESCO.

'''Seokguram Grotto '''                        Seokguram Grotto is famous in Korea. The construction work for this grotto was started in 751 by Prime Minister Kim Daeseong during the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla and was completed in 774 during the reign of King Hyegong of Silla. At first, the name Seokbulsa was attached to it. The grotto was built with white granite stone on the mid-slope of Tohamsan Mountain. The main Buddha placed inside the grotto is surrounded by a wall inscribed with 39 images including those of bodhisattvas, disciples, guardian deities, and Heavenly Kings. A path links the grot’s round main chamber to the rectangular front chamber. About 360 flat stones cover the dome-shaped ceiling, the likes of which cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Four images of heavenly guardians are standing on each side of the rectangular front chamber. Each side of the wall of the entrance is engraved with guardian deities. Each side of the walls of the path leading to the main chamber contains two images of the Four Heavenly Kings. An octagonal stone column on each side of the entrance to the main chamber. The seated statue of the Main Buddha is placed a little behind the center of the round-shaped main chamber. Two images of heavenly guardians, two images of bodhisattva s, and ten images of Arhats fill the walls of both sides from the entrance. Placed right behind the Main Buddha is an image of the eleven-faced Avalokite svara Bodhisattva. The images found inside this grotto are first-rate sculptural masterpieces. The image of the Main Buddha suggests advanced sculptural skill and near-perfect realistic expression. The image of the eleven-faced Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva gives the impression of flamboyance. The images of the guardian deities, Four Heavenly Kings, and bodhisattvas display gallantry, dignity, and gracefulness, respectively. The images of Arhats are uniquely portrayed.

The Gupta-style Main Buddha statue placed in the main chamber is said to be an object of sublime esthetic quality. One feels the sublime mind deep inside his heart from the quiet cross-legged stance, the slumberous eyes, the gentle eyebrows, the middle of the forehead exuding wisdom, and the long ears. We can see the beliefs of Buddhism in the past and other famous Buddhist statues in the temple. Seokguram Grotto, which was made in the mid-8th century during a golden period of the culture of the Unified Silla shows that the sculptors were those who understood Buddhism deeply. The masterpiece was built based on advanced geometric, architectural, and esthetic sense. One feels magnanimity and sublimity from the images there amid the well-balanced ratio between said factors. The Grotto is a structure portraying the moment Shakyamuni attained enlightenment with architectural and sculptural skills. The images look full of energy and are portrayed naturally with first-rate artistic skills without a trace of artificial techniques. By attaining enlightenment, Shakyamuni becomes a metaphysical figure Buddha, with the mundane world becoming a real m or a sphere (dhatu) of the Dharma or Absolute Reality.

Bulguksa Temple

Despite its cultural importance to Korea, Bulguksa was never intended to be a major temple when it was constructed by King Beopheung in 528. However, the original wooden structure was transformed and expanded in 751 by Prime Minister Kim Daeseong, legend has it, personally designed the temple and dedicated it to the memory of his ancestors. The temple was completed in 774 by the Silla royal court and given the name Bulguksa ("Temple of the Buddha Land"). The temple was renovated during the Goryeo Dynasty and the early Joseon Dynasty before it was burned to the ground during the Imjin War. Between 1604 and 1973, Bulguksa underwent various renovations and expansions involving extensive archeological investigations, most notably during the heritage practices of President Park Chung-Hee’s era. The construction work for Bulguksa Temple was started in 751 by Prime Minister Ki m Daeseong during the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla and was completed in 774 during the reign of King Hyegong of Silla (i.e., same years of commencement and completion of work as Seokguram Grotto). Located on a mid-slope west of Tohamsan Mountain, the temple is recognized as a monumental workpiece of art displaying deep Buddhist philosophy as well as the spirit of genius artists. The temple is a result of the portrayal of Buddha’s land dreamt of by the people of Silla. The temple embodies Sakyamuni’s world of suffering based on the Sutra of the Lotus, Amitabha Buddha’s Land of Happiness based on the Infinite Life Sutra, and Vairocana Buddh’s world of universal lotus flower based on the Avatamsaka Sutra. The temple’s overall layout is divided into two areas: the area centered on the Main Hall, including Cheongungyo Bridge, Baegungyo Bridge, Jahamun Gate, Beomyeongru Pavilion, Jwagyeongru Pavilion, Dabotap Pagoda, Seoggatap Pagoda, Museoljeon Hall, etc., and; the other centered on Amitabha Buddha Hall, including Chilbogyo Bridge, Yeonhwagyo Bridge, Anyangmun Gate, etc. The grandiose and unique stone structure that comes into view when you look at the temple in its front dates back to the time of its foundation in the 8th century. The wooden structure on the stone structure was refurbished in the 18th century after being destroyed during foreign invasion. The roofed corridors were restored in the 1960s. Various well-trimmed stone parts including rectangular ones, arch-shaped ones, round columns, and balustrades were used for the temple. Especially, the exquisite stone columns and balustrades of Chilbogyo/Yeonhwag yo Bridges make one marvel. Experts speak highly of the three-tiered stone Seoggatap Pagoda (height: 8.2 m)for its well-proportioned body and simplistic yet grandiose structure and Dabotap Pagoda (height:10.4 m) for its complex and flamboyant appearance and unique and creative expression techniques. Bulguksa Temple is preserved as a historic site (Historic Site No. 502). Those designated as cultural heritage items include: Dabotap Pagoda (National Treasure No. 20), Seo ggatap Pagoda (National Treasure No. 21), Cheongungyo and Baegungyo Bridges (National Treasure No. 23), Chilbogyo and Yeonhwagyo Bridges (National Treasure No. 22), Gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha Statue (National Treasure No. 27), Vairocana Buddha Statue (National Treasure No. 26), etc. The temple and Seokguram Grotto were registered with UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in December 1995.

Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple is another world heritage site comprising two religious monuments rich in Far Eastern Buddhist art. Both Bulguksa and Seokguram represent the highly developed architectural skills of the Silla dynasty and form a religious architectural complex of exceptional significance in North-East Asia.

Changdeokgung Palace Changdeokgung was awarded World Heritage Status in 1997 for having had a great influence on the development of Korean architecture, garden design, and landscape planning over many centuries. The palace grounds are spectacular, comprising royal buildings and a rear garden that boasts a 300-year-old tree, a pavilion, and a small pond. Construction of the palace began in 1405 and was completed in 1412. Changdeok Palace is also known as Aesthetics of Harmony with Nature. Royal palaces symbolized state sovereignty and regal authority as official residences of kings where they lived and governed. Seoul, the seat of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), has five royal palaces: Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Ch anggyeonggung, Deoksugung, and Gyeonghuigung. Some of these palaces were built as replacements for those lost in wars or fires, and some when the royal family needed more living space. Gyeongbok Palace, the first and main palace of Joseon, was built in 1395, the fourth year of Taejo, the founding monarch. Changdeok Palace was built in 1405, the fifth year of Taejong, the third ruler. It was primarily intended to be used as a separate palace in emergencies or when the king wanted to reside outside of the main palace. However, during the early years of Joseon, most kings preferred to live in Changdeok rather than Gyeongbok Palace, which was haunted by memories of bloody power struggles surrounding the throne. After the Japanese Invasions of 1592-1598, when all of the palaces in Seoul were burned down, Changdeok Palace became the king’s official main residence and the financial y-stricken court of King Gwanghaegun rebuilt it first. Gyeongbok Palace was left in ruins for over 270 years until Prince Regent Heungseon, the birthfather of King Gojong, undertook his controversial reconstruction of the palace to boost the power of a waning dynasty. Eventually, Changdeok Palace was used more broadly throughout Joseon’s five-century rule. Changdeok Palace, or the “Palace of Illustrious Virtue,” is nestled in a compound of some 480,000 square meters that sprawl around the foot of Mt. Eungbong, sitting in front of Bohyeon Peak with Mt. Bukhan in the distant background.

The site plan markedly differed from the traditional Chinese-oriented style of palatial construction, which, as exemplified by Gyeongbok Palace, typically had a symmetrical arrangement of major halls and gates along the north-south axis on flat ground. The mountain palace lacked a man-made axis regulating its spatial layout. Instead, it followed native Korean values emphasizing harmony with nature, resulting in an intriguingly flexible ground plan. Changdeok Palace today looks far different from its original appearance as depicted in the “Picture of the Eastern Palace” (Donggwol do), drawn around 1830. A highly valuable cultural asset itself, the court-style documentary painting provides an accurate view of Chan Gdeok and Changgyeong palaces in the eastern part of the old capital city. Both palaces have not only been reduced considerably in scale but distorted in shape, due to the ruthless destruction that occurred under Japanese rule during the early 20th century. Palace structures were removed or turned into entertainment venues; some were moved from one palace to another. Lending in with the topography, Changdeok Palace follows the basic geomantic (pungs u) principle of an ideal home with a mountain at the back and water in the front. Still, the site plan faithfully reflects the three major rules of palatial construction. That is, government ice is placed in the outer court and the private residence of the royal family is in the inner quarters behind; the royal palace is behind nine gates, with the king’s quarters surrounded by many layers of buildings and courtyards for the sake of security; and the eastern section of the palace is reserved for the crown prince, a symbol of rising power, and the queen dowager and other senior ladies of the royal family. The grounds of Changdeok Palace are largely divided into four areas: the entrance area, the office area, the royal residence, and a rear garden. The entrance area has two major features - the main entranceway, Donhwamun, meaning the “gate of sincere edification,” on the southern edge of the palace compound and the front courtyard where the Geumcheon, the “forbidden stream,” flows through. Outside the palace grounds, the stream joins the Cheonggyecheon flowing through the old city, symbolizing the unity of the king and the people.

The stone bridge spanning the “forbidden stream” represents the first step into the

royal sanctuary. It is also the gateway to the office area, which has the Office of Special Advisors (Hongmungwan), the Office of Royal Scribes (Yemungwan), and the Royal Infirmary (N region), among other government offices. All of the court offices have been restored since 1991 after being removed during the colonial period. Lording over these court offices is the Hall of Benevolent Governance (Injeongjeon), the throne hall, where many important state events were conducted throughout the Joseon period and the Hall of Administering Governance (Seonjeongjeon) which served as the king’s offices. The rear garden of Changdeok Palace epitomizes traditional Korean landscape architecture characterized by the aesthetics of nature. The natural contours of hills and valleys, waterfalls, and woods are conserved in their pristine condition by minimizing man-made.

Although it was mainly intended as a private space for the royal family to relax and enjoy leisure activities, the rear garden was also used for banquets and special military exercises like archery, which the king attended. The serene rural atmosphere was considered ideal for reading and academic research as well, not to mention demonstrations of tilling and silkworm growing by the royal family. Like all other royal palaces of Joseon, Changdeok Palace is neither ostentatious nor luxurious. The palace exemplifies the moral value of the Confucian-oriented Joseon Dynasty which cherished modesty and frugality, doing away with extravagance. Its earliest basic statute, Joseon Administrative Code (Joseon gyeongguk jeon) has the following statement: “If a palace is ostentatious, it will cause trouble for the people; if it is shabby, it will not be able to show the dignity of government. Frugal but not shabby and splendid but not ostentatious this must be what is beautiful.”Changdeok Palace contains numerous stories from the five-century history of Korea’s last monarchy as its center stage. Despite its checkered history and lost splendor, the palace is revered as a preeminent repository of unique Korean traditions and aesthetics humbly but elegantly harmonized with nature. In this context, UNESCO said upon its decision to inscribe the palace on the World Heritage List in 1997: “Changdeok Palace is an outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design, except for how the buildings are integrated into and harmonized with the natural setting, adapting to the topography and retaining indigenous tree cover.”Although there are numerous cultural heritage in Korea, these are the most famous and stunning. If you go to Korea, you should visit these places because you can see the historical architecture, traditions, religions, and architecture of ancient Korea.