The Country Mice

Away way way up the mountainsides in the foothills of rural Korea perch many an active Buddhist temple.

By active I mean these are not simply shrines but rather are working temples, filled with the busy lives of monks and lay Buddhists, keeping simple uncluttered lives of prayer juxtaposed with the reality of computers, calculators and the other essential modern devices that keep their mountaintop monasteries running.

This morning we headed up to one such temple about three hours total travel (taxi, train, subway, bus) from the hotel, where we ambled somewhat aimlessly but surrounded by so much simple and complex beauty.

Probably the most perfect moment of the day was at about two o’clock in the afternoon when the monks glided to various temple sites and began rhythmically tapping with a stick on a hollow gourd, while chanting. One fellow sang at points — softly, perfectly pitched, absolutely otherworldly. It was the kind of moment that beckons one to just

stop

be

let go.

And lest I talk too much and spoil the moment, I’ll leave you with some pics and will expound on another day.