Academic symposium and mountain temple concert mark the 1,199th anniversary of Doseon Guksa's birth
Dogapsa temple, located within Wolchulsan National Park, will hold the 21st Doseon Guksa Cultural Arts Festival over two days, Friday and Saturday.
Held to mark the 1,199th anniversary of the birth of Doseon Guksa, the festival will feature a traditional tea ceremony, a Buddhist ritual service, an academic symposium, cultural experiences and a mountain temple concert.
On Friday at 1 p.m., an academic symposium will be held at Simgeomdang Hall inside the temple, focusing on Sumi Wangsa, the monk credited with rebuilding Dogapsa.
The symposium will feature presentations by Lee Jong-su, a professor at Suncheon University; Jeong Byeong-sam, an emeritus professor at Sookmyung Women's University; Kim Mu-bong, an emeritus professor at Dongguk University; and Nam Gwon-hui, an emeritus professor at Kyungpook National University. Each will address Sumi Wangsa's historical standing in Korean Buddhism and related documentary records.
On Saturday at 11 a.m., a Buddhist ritual service will be held on a special stage in front of Daeungbojeon Hall. The program will open with a memorial rite led by monks Seongwan and Dogap, followed by remarks from monk Sugwan, congratulatory speeches from guests and a dharma address by Wolwu, the president of Central Sangha University.
Near Daeungbojeon Hall, a gallery exhibition organized by Wolchulsan Gallery will be on display alongside temple food experiences, an exhibition of artifacts excavated from Wolsansa, and the Natural Monument Terrapin Memorial Hall. A hands-on activity area will also offer a shrink-keyring-making workshop for families with children.
At 6:30 p.m. Saturday, a healing concert by monk Suan will be followed by a free outdoor concert titled "Chueok Chatgi" (Searching for Memories) performed by Kim Chang-wan Band, led by Kim Chang-wan.
Dogapsa's head monk Sugwan said he hopes visitors will "set aside their worries at this ancient temple on an autumn day, heal their body and mind, and take home new inspiration and cherished memories."
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