monk rock

It was a chilly evening in midnovember, when Kate and I decided to hear the bells of Jogyesa, the largest Buddhist shrine of Seoul.
We found the temple hidden somewhere in the skyscraper forest. It was a strange Christmasy spirit in the air, as it was already dark and three giant smiling Buddha statues were shining through the windows of the main building.
We explored the area before 6pm when a monk went up to the bell pavillion and started drumming a groovy rythm with to sticks and a giant drum. Seriously he rocked. It was funny to see him walking there and then later leaving the pavillion in a pieceful, religious way but playing the drums like hell.

Right after his performance startet a celebration comparable to a high mass. Beliefers chanted together with a monk, bowed low before the Buddhas and served food as a gift to them. I joined them for a while and experienced this spiritual ceremony. And for a little while I found ease and comfort, peace and quiet.
I like the Buddhism already although I don't know much about it, because it seems that all the answers have to be found by oneself in finding inner peace. You don't pray to a person for redemption but find it by yourself in the way you live your life.