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Here's another Korean National Treasure, the nine-story pagoda at Wolcheong-sa Temple in Odaesan
National Park.
Buddhists say that a pagoda is the home of the Buddha's body because each one is supposed to hold
some of his thousands of sari, or beads. These are considered remains of the Buddha because
they weren't consumed when his body was cremated. Interesting point of difference: most Korean pagodas
are made of stone. Chinese Buddhist pagodas are usually brick. Japanese pagodas are most often wood.
Buddhists are supposed to bow to the pagoda. We watched as the woman on the right bowed four times,
once on each side of the fence surrounding the pagoda.
By the way, bowing is done differently inside the temple. There (assuming you were trying to fit in) you'd
typically use the Buddhist triple bow. Want to try it? Here's a quick lesson.
- Press your palms together in front of your heart.
- Bow halfway, then stand.
- With the hands still together, kneel. Cross your feet, left over right.
- Touch the floor with your right hand, then with your left, then with your head.
- Repeat step 4.
- Repeat step 4 again, but this time, touch your head to the floor twice instead of once.
- Stand and bow halfway one more time.
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