Here is the website's description of the temple,
| Cheongpyeong temple |
As a temple of Goryeo period, Cheongpyeongsa temple was established by Zen master, Yeonghyeon, in the 24th year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo dynasty (973) and named Baekamseonwon. And then, in the 22nd year of King Munjong (1068), Lee Ui became the royal inspector of Chunju-do, and he remodeled this temple, and named Bohyeonwon. Afterwards, Lee, Ja Hyeon restored this temple and named Munsuwon. |
Julianne asked some co-teachers about the woman holding a snake statue that we saw while hiking up to the temple, and they helped her find the story online.
The following is from Julianne's blog, http://snuggle-bunny-in-korea.blogspot.com/
This girl is sitting in the middle of the river. She is holding a snake which I have been told by my Korean co-teachers is a reincarnated man who was in love with her.
I asked what the story is and thanks to the internet and a translation by one of my co-workers at Seongwon Elementary I found this out:
One night the snake came into the princess's room and coiled around her tightly and would not allow her to move. The king could not hire anyone in China to get the snake to let go so he decided the best thing to do would be to have his daughter seen by the best Buddhist monk in the world. In order to have his daughter see the best monk he had her sent to Korea. The snake refused to let go for the entire journey. Once the princess arrived in Korea the monk was able to remove the snake and free the princess. The snake was sent away by the Buddhist monk and was struck by a bolt of lightening. The snake died instantly.
The princess now felt free but also very sad. She did love the common man who turned into a snake.
The king was so greatful to the monk who freed his daughter that he built a temple in Korea to show his gratitude.
The princess was so sad that the man she loved was dead that she prayed for him at the temple every day.
Julianne and I were chatting about the story on Google Talk this morning. I said, "see, if a "common man" turns into a snake BECAUSE of his love for a woman, I was right, [about my interpretation of the statue's meaning before doing any research] it serves as a warning and reminder to monks and Buddhists about women and how they cannot achieve Nirvana, and that men can be tempted into desire and attachment thus dieing a spiritual death (and a sexual one through orgasm, the 'little death"--wink) and fail to advance on the Wheel of Life . . . etc"
More info from the Chuncheon tourism website,
A refreshing lake, valley, and history viewed at one sight. Princess Shuni of Yuan of China and the Lovesick Snake
The princess and a 'common man' met each other and fell in love with one another. Because they were in love they chose to meet each other every night. The king found out about their meetings and had the common man killed. When the common man was killed a snake suddenly appeared. The people who witnessed this event said that the snake was the common man reincarnated.One night the snake came into the princess's room and coiled around her tightly and would not allow her to move. The king could not hire anyone in China to get the snake to let go so he decided the best thing to do would be to have his daughter seen by the best Buddhist monk in the world. In order to have his daughter see the best monk he had her sent to Korea. The snake refused to let go for the entire journey. Once the princess arrived in Korea the monk was able to remove the snake and free the princess. The snake was sent away by the Buddhist monk and was struck by a bolt of lightening. The snake died instantly.
The princess now felt free but also very sad. She did love the common man who turned into a snake.
The king was so greatful to the monk who freed his daughter that he built a temple in Korea to show his gratitude.
The princess was so sad that the man she loved was dead that she prayed for him at the temple every day.
*****
Julianne and I were chatting about the story on Google Talk this morning. I said, "see, if a "common man" turns into a snake BECAUSE of his love for a woman, I was right, [about my interpretation of the statue's meaning before doing any research] it serves as a warning and reminder to monks and Buddhists about women and how they cannot achieve Nirvana, and that men can be tempted into desire and attachment thus dieing a spiritual death (and a sexual one through orgasm, the 'little death"--wink) and fail to advance on the Wheel of Life . . . etc"
More info from the Chuncheon tourism website,
The tourist attraction of Cheongpyeongsa temple is located 19 km far away from the downtown, and if you go about 10 minutes by ship at the ferry of Lake Soyang, you reach the tourist attraction of Cheongpyeongsa temple.
This is the place where climbers enjoy visiting since it has a graceful valley, if you climb up along the valley, there is Guseong waterfall with the height of 7 m that is said to make nine sounds. Additionally, there are the holy ground of Goryeo garden of Cheongpyeongsa temple, Hoejeonmun of Cheongpyeongsa temple, and three storied pagoda, etc.
If you continue to climb up this place, you will reach the climbing road of Mt. Obongsan. As a temple of Goryeo period, Cheongpyeongsa temple was established by Zen master, Yeonghyeon, in the 24th year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo dynasty (973) and named Baekamseonwon. And then, in the 22nd year of King Munjong (1068), Lee Ui became the royal inspector of Chunju-do, and he remodeled this temple, and named Bohyeonwon. Afterwards, Lee, Ja Hyeon restored this temple and named Munsuwon.
Cheongpyeongsa temple has kept two prestige products that shined the Korean calligraphy history. One is the character of the tombstone of Lee Ja-Hyeon written by Priest Tanyeon, and the other is Janggyeong tombstone of Munsuwon of Cheongpyeongsa temple written by Lee, Am. They are handed down as the prestige products of the Korean calligraphy history.
Location : Cheongpyeong 1-ri, Buksan-myeon, Chuncheon city, Gangwon-do
Contact us : Ticket office of
Cheongpyeongsa temple 033-250-356
J
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