A few minutes after passing the gate with the colourful ogres, I arrive at a clearing and come face-to-face with the 1,500-year old temple itself - Bulguksa. The stone facade and staircases of the temple entrance are weatherbeaten but sturdy nevertheless.
Beyond the entrance lie three sacred halls, each representing the three ideal lands of Buddha:
- Daeungjeon Hall: refers to Sakyamuni or Buddha's Land
- Geungnakjeon Hall: refers to Amitabha's Paradise Land
- Birojeon Hall: refers to Buddha Birojana's Land of Truth
The entrances via the staircases have been blocked (I think to preserve the ancient steps from trampling feet), so visitors must enter the temple area via an uphill path to the right of the structure. I make my way there...
