Sketches of Youngsanjae Ritual at Bongwonsa Temple, Seoul

the colorful scene of Youngsanjae Ritual ceremony, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

400 years old zelkova tree in front of the 3000 Buddhas Hall (삼천불전) near the entrance to the temple, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

the beginning of the ceremony, pen and watercolor, (21 x  29.6cm)

a monk is playing the drum in ritual ceremony, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

 a scene in the process of Meal Offering ceremony, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

performance of the traditional Buddhist music, pencil and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

colorful Buddhist dance with monks and Youngsanjae preserver group, 

pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

the area for dead to rest in peace on the 2nd floor of the 3000 Buddhas Hall, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

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On last Sunday(June 3rd) and Wednesday(June 6th), I visited Bongwonsa Temple (봉원사) sketching the cultural performance and the 30th Youngsanjae Ritual (영산재). 

The ceremony has been held on the Memorial Day of Korea, June 6th. Lots of people gathered to see the ritual ceremony. Big hanging painting was hung on left side of the big temple. Monks from foreign countries and inland visited too. Korean traditional music with big drums, pipes, gongs and Buddhist dances were played by monks and members of Youngsanjae preserver group. The ritual ran all day from 10 am to 7pm. Because the personnel for the event didn't allow ordinary people to enter the ritual area it was not easy to capture scenes in detail. The temple had been built on 889AD.  And the ritual has been kept performing for 30 years for the peace of the dead and the live. I prayed for the peace of world all the while sketching. 

Please visit the pages of Bongwonsa history and Youngsanjae Ritual for more. 

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서대문 안산 기슭의 태고종 천년사찰 "봉원사"

현충일에 열리는 산이와 죽은 영령을 위한 30회 "영산재"

수많은 불자들과 승려, 하늘을 덮은 천막과 찬란한 휘장들,

대형 괘불 제단의 장엄한 예불의식, 전통 춤과 불교음악...

우리 나라와 세계 평화를 기원하는 뜻깊은 스케치의 날이었습니다.

Sketches about Youngsanjae Ritual at Bongwonsa(temple)

A monk enters with a big red parasol for the ritual. I guessed it would symbolize that such parasol might have been used for the Buddha preaching at Youngchisan(mountain in India)

Several musicians followed playing traditional musical instruments(conical oboe).

There gathered lots of photographers. 

Monks from foreign countries participated. I could see they put cold towels on their heads.

Blue, yellow, red, white, and green long stripes were hung over.

I drew in front of main temple building. 

Traditional music with drums, bamboo pipes, taepyoungso(conical oboe) added exciting energy during the ritual with flying placards.

Monks undergoing performance for the ritual which has been kept for 30 years.

Sound from big drum could shake the hearts of every participants in and out ot the temple.

Dancers with big yellow hats waited for their turn to play.

Around the ending time monks from other temples departed hoping to meet again.

pen, pencil, brush pen, sepia conte, pastels, watercolor, A 4

It was my first experience to see the Youngsanjae Ritual held at Bongwonsa. The temple was crowded with visitors. It was hard to take cool seat for sketching. But it was fun to meet some people with whom could share talks about life and sketching. I heard that the ritual kept performing on June 6th, National Memorial Day every year. I like to go there next year again.

지난 현충일에 봉원사에서 영산재를 보았습니다. 많은 방문객들로 마땅한 자기 찾기가 어려웠지만 서서도 그리고, 양산쓰신 분 그늘에 의지하면서 나름 그리기를 계속했구요. 대웅전앞 돌계단에 앉아 옆의 여자분과 잠시지만 진솔한 대화를 나눈 것이 기억에 남습니다. 옷깃만 스쳐도 몇겁의 인연이 있다는데 순간의 만남과 대화는 참으로 귀중했습니다. 아름다운 장면들, 공간, 소리를 한껏 즐긴 하루였습니다. 아울러 세계평화와 호국 영령들의 안식도 빌었습니다.

Sketches at Ewha Womans Univ. & Bongwonsa(temple), Sinchon

Sketches at the university in front of a small cafe

Sketch of a part of the area for dead to rest in peace

There was a cultural performance in front of a big hanging painting of Buddha at the ground of temple buildings, which was held before the 30th Youngsanjae on June 6th.

줄타기(tightrope dancer) by Kwon Won Tae(#58 Nat'l intangible cultural asset)

I captured two poses of the same dancer.

sketch of foot mask dance performance by Park Jeong Im and Jeong Joon Tae(#79 National intangible cultural asset) 

It was a very fine day for the performance at the ground of a big temple, Bongwonsa. I read the news about the Youngsanjae which would be held on June 6th and the various cultural performance on June 3rd ahead of the big 30th ritual. Because it was said that the performance would be held from 5 pm I visited Ewha Woans University located across the temple for sketching. It was very hot. I took some rest under the shadow of trees while drawing. 

Coming back to the temple I had noodle provided at the big dining room for people. After having delicious noodle I drew a scene and moved outside. Under broad awnings Korean traditional music instruments sounded exciting music for the dancers. I could capture some scenes around my seat. Very cheerful atmosphere with colorful flying big placards, dancers, pansori....

I enjoyed all of them expecting the coming ritual, the 30th Youngsanjae on June 6th, 2018. I hope to capture more vivid beautiful scene.

지난 일요일에 신촌 봉원사에서 오는 6월 6일에 열릴 제 30회 영산재를 앞두고 문화한마당행사가 있었습니다. 아침부터 가서 절도 그리고 오후 행사까지 보려고 힜는데 점심 공양은 없고 오후 3시 반에 국수 공양이 있다하여 절 아래로 내려가서 점심도 먹고 길건너 이화여대에 가서 그늘 아래에 앉아 몇장 그렸어요. 국수 공양을 빼놓을 수가 없어서 맛나게 먹고 영혼들의 쉼터 로 이어지는 아미타불 모습을 그려보았구요. 이어 마당으로 나가 본격적인 행사를 관람하면서 그려보았습니다. 움직이는 형상들이라 많이 어려웠구요. 그러나 귀로 들리는 흥겨운 소리는 마냥 즐거웠습니다. 끝부분 북청사자놀음과 강령탈춤을 못보고 와서 많이 아쉽습니다. 내일 열리는 영산재도 보러가려합니다. 관심있는 분들은 참여하시면 귀한 시간이 되리라고 생각합니다.