Sketches of Youngsanjae Ritual at Bongwonsa Temple, Seoul

[By Lee Yong-hwan in Seoul,Korea]

   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 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 for sketching the cultural performance and the 30th Youngsanjae Ritual. 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.