A Temple by the Sea
On the afternoon of June 3rd, 2025, I visited Haedong Yonggungsa Temple in Busan. The traditional Korean gate stood at the entrance, welcoming crowds of visitors. Walking down the stone steps, this seaside temple gradually appeared before my eyes.
The Monk on the Stairs
At a corner along the way, a stone statue of a monk sat quietly, appearing to chant sutras. His focused expression seemed to remind every hurried visitor to slow down and feel the peace of this place.
Views from the Bridge
Walking onto the bridge, the view opened up. The Samcheonggung Pond came into sight, with a Buddha statue by the water and more than a dozen Arhat statues lined up behind it—probably the Eighteen Arhats. Sunlight fell on these stone figures, creating a solemn and peaceful atmosphere.
Guanyin Behind the Dragon’s Tail
Inside the temple, what caught my attention most was a dragon statue. I looked at it from different angles and surprisingly found that from behind the dragon’s tail, I could see the distant Guanyin statue. This special view created beautiful layers in the scene.
Overlooking the Bay
Standing in front of the Guanyin statue, I could look down at the entire Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. The temple buildings with red tiles and the distant bay created a beautiful picture. The sea breeze blew gently, bringing cool air. Crowds moved between different spots, busy and lively.
The Forgotten Corner
While everyone was busy taking photos at the main attractions, I stopped at a quiet corner. Almost no visitors passed by here. Three small monk statues sat there peacefully.
One covered his ears with both hands, another bowed his head in thought, and the third covered his eyes. Their expressions were so lifelike that I couldn’t help but look at them several times. After returning home and doing some research, I learned that these statues represent the famous Buddhist teachings of “hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil.” The monk covering his ears teaches us not to listen to bad words, the one bowing his head symbolizes self-reflection and practice, and the one covering his eyes reminds us not to look at evil or bad things.
These three small monks, with their innocent poses, express Buddhism’s focus on purifying the mind and self-reflection. In this forgotten corner, I found the most meaningful teaching.
A Surprise on the Way Back
On my way back, I walked onto the bridge again. At that moment, a great egret stood gracefully on a rock by the sea. It looked quietly at the water, creating a clear contrast with the noise around it.
Sometimes, the most precious discoveries hide in the most overlooked places. Whether it’s the small monks teaching wisdom in a quiet corner or the egret on the seaside rock, they all wait for someone with an open heart to find them.
