Seouldestinations; Gaehceon-Jeol, Opening Of Sky 24-Hour Interval At Sajik Park

 

Gaehceon-jeol, Opening of Heaven Day at Sajik Park

October iii inwards Korea is Gaecheon-jeol which translates inwards English linguistic communication to “Opening of Heaven Day.” It is a national vacation inwards the Republic of Korea commemorating Oct 3, 2457 B.C., the appointment when the mythical King Hwanung descended from sky to alive with mankind.

SIWA (Seoul International Woman’s Association) led a trip to Sajik Park, where a reenactment of the full-scale Neo-Confucian ritual was held past times a individual association at the shrine for King Dan-gun. David Mason, a scholar on Korean Buddhism together with folk-religion tradition, led the tour.  Mason is a professor at Gyeongju University together with has been living inwards Seoul for most xxx years. 

Sajik Park is located close Gyeongbokgung Station.  Walking similar a shot out of Exit 1, yous volition come upwardly to the Joeseon Dynasty Royal Shrines that were believed to live on connected to the basis together with Harvest.  These Shrines are called Sajikdan together with Jongmyo, together with are located to the due west together with eastward sides, respectively, of Gyeongbokgung Palace.   It was at this sacred site, that ceremonies were performed to enquire for a proficient harvest during droughts inwards the Joseon Dynasty. The altars are at nowadays surrounded past times a wall, but tin nonetheless live on easily viewed past times peering through the gate.  There are reenactments of these ceremonies on several occasions during the year.

 

After viewing the altars together with getting an informative history of Gaecheon-jeol past times Professor Mason, nosotros continued into the park.  Here nosotros flora ii massive statues of the groovy Neo-Confucian philosopher Yulgok together with his woman raise Shin Saimdang.  These ii historic Korean figures are seen most unremarkably on Korean money.  Shin Saimdang is on the 50,000 won depository fiscal establishment greenback together with Yulgok - 5,000.

Yulgok spent his life learning together with instruction Neo-Confucianism.  He contributed politically to Korean social club together with besides had multiple plant every bit an author.  He suggested that Korea should expand their military machine together with predicted that the Japanese were going to invade.  This thought was ignored, but together with then proven accurate with the Imjin War.

Shin Saimdang is the exclusively woman soul on a South Korean depository fiscal establishment note, together with the most recent addition. She is known inwards Korea for existence an example of an ideal married adult woman together with proficient mother. In add-on to this she was a self-educated scholar who practiced calligraphy, poetry, writing together with drawing.

 

 

 

Walking upwardly a flying of stairs to the left of the Yulgok Statue, nosotros flora The Dangunseongjeon (Dangun Shrine).  At this location the reenactment of Gaecheon-jeol was taking place.  The ceremony began at 11:00 together with events continued until 15:45.  It started with the traditional memorial ceremony, together with several Korean officials addressed the crowd. 

High profile guests together with Seoul locals alike were inwards attendance. The ceremony was followed past times a Korean Archery show, ritual wearing clothing functioning together with traditional percussion.  SIWA stayed inwards attendance for the initial ceremony.  We were pop alongside reporters who approached us for interviews on remarks most the event.  It is non therefore mutual to consider foreigners inwards attendance.

Following the ceremony, nosotros walked a modest component of the Fortress Trail, where all inwards attendance enjoyed beautiful views of Seoul during the kickoff of the autumn leafage season.  The twenty-four hr menstruum was warm together with autumn flowers were inwards sum bloom. 

This beautiful path led us to Inwang-sa temple on Inwang-san Mountain. Inwang-san Mountain is believed to live on a sacred Shaman ground.   The most active site for Shamanism inwards Korea for the past times hundreds of years is located here.  The temple is disguised every bit a Buddhist temple because practicing Shamanism is illegal inwards Korea.  The area’s unique occurrences tin easily live on missed to the unknowing hiker.

 

When nosotros arrived at the temple Shamanism worship was occurring.  Several members, who knew Korean on our tour, spoke with the women leading the rituals.  They became real friendly together with offered to present us a sum Shamanism ceremony.  Two women banged drums together with cymbals every bit a tertiary majestically danced to a greater extent than or less the room chanting.  She repeatedly added additional robes together with accessories to her outfit.

 

At i hollo for the adult woman picked upwardly a large sword together with danced to a greater extent than or less the room.  She besides changed caput dresses. It was fascinating to encounter.  The temple besides had a sum sacrificial tabular array laid up.  Meat, fish, rice cakes, fruit, a pigs head, together with much to a greater extent than were arranged along the altar.  The expanse surrounding the temple smelled of Soju every bit bottles were opened together with poured to sacrifice.

 

Our concluding halt on the trip was the Seon-bawi rocks.  The uniquely structured stones are some other sacred expanse for Shaman worship.  We encountered several other women lighting candles together with praying past times the shrine.  They besides were real friendly together with offered us traditional walnut candies upon our arrival.  Professor Mason was puzzled past times their kindness, every bit oft the practise of Shamanism is hidden to those exterior of the faith.

 

All events of the twenty-four hr menstruum were extremely unique together with gave everyone inwards attendance an extraordinary await into traditional Korean practices that helped shape the province into what it is today.  Professor Mason’s insight throughout the trip was both entertaining together with fascinating.   Seeing firsthand, what he has spent years studying helped us to but laid out to grasp these abstract Eastern principles.

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