A Few From Yesterday's Visit

to JoGyeSa, which dates back to the 14th century.  One unusual feature of this temple is that it is located right next to a noisy intersection in the JongNo district, one of the busiest, most heavily trafficked areas in all of old Seoul (that is, north of the Han river;  the city expanded in recent decades to encompass large areas south of the river and now the nouveau-riche live there).  Despite all the activity and distractions right outside the gates, a certain (dare I say... otherworldly?) calmness of mind and spirit prevails on the grounds of the temple -- this I have found to be true of Buddhist temples in general, no matter where they may be.