- The Human Route
Coming empty-handed, going empty-handed -- that is human.
When you are born, where do you come from?
When you die, where do you go?
Life is like a floating cloud which appears.
Death is like a floating cloud which disappears.
The floating cloud itself originally does not exist.
Life and death, coming and going, are also like that.
But there is one thing which always remains clear.
It is pure and clear, not depending on life and death.

Then what is the one pure and clear thing?

- Tongdosa Monastery and Temple at Mt. Yongch'uk

Founded in the 15th year of the reign of Shilla Queen Sondok (646 C.E.) by Vinaya Master Chajang, Tongdosa Monastery and Temple is the first of Korea's three Jewel temples, representing the Buddha (Haeinsa, with its woodblock collection of Tripitaka Koreana, represents the Dharma; and Songgwangsa Temple, having turned out no less than 16 National Zen masters, represents the Sangha).

- The Layout of Tongdosa and the Main Buddha Hall

Tongdosa Monastery and Temple is composed of more that 50 buildings, and through its history of more than 1300 years, the complex has undergone innumerable additions, renovations and reconstruction projects.
With such a rich history, the complex is both a symbol of and crystallization of temple construction methods throughout Korean Buddhist history.

- Tongdosa's Vajra (Diamond) Platform

The name Vajra or Diamond Platform goes back to the time of the Buddha when he gave permission for construction of an ordination platform to the southeast of Jetavana Vihara in India.
The use of the term at Tongdosa reflects the belief that, since the platform contains a stupa with the relics of the Buddha, receiving ordination at this platform is the same as receiving ordination directly from the Buddha.

- Entrance of Tongdo-sa

On entering Tongdo-sa precincts through Mupung bridge, The thick ancient forests and the clear streams will wash worldly anxieties. Indeed the word a earthly paradise may have been called for here.

- Ilju-mun Gate

The main entrance to the ancient Shilla temple Tongdo-sa, the gate was originally built
in 1305, the 31st year of King chungryeol's rule in koryo, but the year of reconstruction
is not known, The calligraphic writing "Yeongchug-san Tongdo-sa" is the work of Daewongun (one of the famous politician in Chosun Dynasty).

- Temple Belfry

Built in 1686, the 12th year of King Sugjong of the Chosun Dynasty, the four temple sounds of bronze bell, large drum, ringing Plate and fish-shaped wooden gong came from this building for the salvation of pitiable beings wandering among the worlds of beasts, water and the air.

- Bulyi-mun Gate

"Bulyi" signifies the oneness of the truthful law, and this is the third gate Leading into the temple. The grand main hall stands facing it, Hwanghwa-gag standing at right and the nuns Quarters at left with meditation rooms around.

- Sarira Pagoda

It ensconces the sarira of Guatama Buddha that Monk Chajang brought from Bodhisattva Munsu of China in 645. It has been repaired many times since and the present pagoda was restored in 1705 by monk Gyepa. Two stories stand on a base of 46 square feet, a stone bell is placed on the pedestal of lotus blossom on the upper level, and the four virtues and 12 demigods.

- TONGDOSA MUSEUM

Tongdosa Museum was founded for the protection and preservation of Korea's Buddhist temple painting tradition and to provide the public, through a program based on systematic research, with a comprehensive understanding of this tradition.

Tongdosa Temple was founded by Vinaya Master Chajang in the 7th century C.E. during the Shilla Kingdom. In 1954, the temple established exhibition space in the Hall of Avalokitesvara and the Pavilion of Eternity in order to preserve and exhibit artifacts from the temple's ancient history, and this served as the initial basis for today's facility.

The temple established a separate exhibition hall in 1987, and received official approval from the government as a museum. This set the stage for the formal collection, preservation and research of paintings and artifacts while making a major contribution to the activation of Buddhist cultural development.

- Samseong Banweol-gyo Bridge

Monk Gyeongbong constructed it in 1937. "Samseong Banweol" means "The Heart", a symbol of Buddhism.

- Ilseung-gyo Bridge
It stands about 100 meters west of Samseong-Banweol Bridge. First built by Monk Guha 1959.

- What is Zen?
Zen is very simple... What are you?

In this whole world everyone searches for happiness outside, but nobody understands their true self inside.

Everybody says, "I" -- "I want this, I am like that..." But nobody understands this "I." Before you were born, where did your I come from? When you die, where will your I go? If you sincerely ask, "what am I?" sooner or later you will run into a wall where all thinking is cut off. We call this "don't know."

Zen is keeping this "don't know" mind always and everywhere.

When walking, standing, sitting,
lying down, speaking, being
silent, moving, being still.
At all times, in all places, without
interruption -- what is this?
One mind is infinite kalpas.

Meditation in Zen means keeping don't-know mind when bowing, chanting and sitting Zen. This is formal Zen practice. And when doing something, just do it. When driving, just drive; when eating, just eat; when working, just work.

Finally, your don't-know mind will become clear. Then you can see the sky, only blue. You can see the tree, only green. Your mind is like a clear mirror. Red comes, the mirror is red; white comes the mirror is white. A hungry person comes, you can give him food; a thirsty person comes, you can give her something to drink. There is no desire for myself, only for all beings. That mind is already enlightenment, what we call Great Love, Great Compassion, the Great Bodhisattva Way. It's very simple, not difficult!

So Buddha said that all beings have Buddha-nature (enlightenment nature). But Zen Master Joju said that a dog has no Buddha-nature. Which one is right? Which one is wrong? If you find that, you find the true way.

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