| This unique painting was found in a stairwell of the gigantic Sam-gwang-sa [Three Brightness Temple] in Busan City, of the small Cheon-tae [Tien-tai, or Heaven Grand] Sect. Clearly here, a wise elderly monk is praying / showing respect to a bawi [outstanding crag or boulder] which is in the act of manifesting from the Earth as an enlightened Buddha-spirit. But, is he doing so becaused he discovered it in that act (and recognised it due to his wisdom; it would appear as an ordinary rock to an ordinary person), or is it now manifesting as a Buddha because his prayer has magical powers...? Or are they just both showing respect to each other, mutually recognising an enlightened being...? Is it a story of a historical Cheontae-Buddhist master, or just a depiction of the human/Buddha/mountain relationship...? All these interpretations are possible -- and the one Cheontae monk whom I was able to ask was unable to tell me. |
| Another Photo on the Connection Between Korean Mountain-Worship and Buddhism |
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