The Temple Next Door

One day, amidst all the election madness of the previous weeks, I took a soothing stroll through one of the two “safe spaces” I often go to when in need of mind-mending solitude: Gyeongguksa Temple, located just blocks from where I live in Seongbuk-gu in Seoul, near Kookmin University. The other, Incheon Beach, as featured in a previous post, was too far away that day. Gyeongguksa Temple was first established in 1325, and is one among dozens of Buddhist temples here in Seoul (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyeongguksa). Gyeongguksa is also headed by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and it remains, without a doubt, a local and national treasure that has stood the tests of time, war, reconstruction and modernization; and I feel extremely honored and privileged to live so close by.

Gyeongguksa Temple also happens to be a setting in my second novel, The Solitaire Diaries, in which one character, “Catastrophic Chris,” devotes himself to the Order and becomes a Buddhist monk after a brief stint of self-discovery teaching English. It is also here where he breaks up with his new Korean pop siren girlfriend, and meets “Kang,” an old friend of his father’s from his military days at Yongsan Garrison, who inspires his transformation. And apparently, Gyeongguksa narrowly missed being Chris’ birthplace, as well, as his mother went into labor with him there, while on a couple’s meditation outing.

All in all, Gyeongguksa Temple is an astounding an exquisite tribute to Korean history and symbolism, and I strongly recommend adding this wondrous site to your Seoul travel itinerary. But for now, here is a picture tour…

Welcome 어서오세요 (Oso-o-seyo)!