December 31, 2007

People say that today is the last day of the year, and give it some meaning.

Good-bye 2007 !

Happy New Year ! Wishing you the best for 2008 !

(The photo shows a streetlight on the night of Jan 20 2007. )

Confucian Academy

도동서원 Dodong Seowon, a Confucian academy established in the period of  Joseon dynasty(1392 to 1910) is located to the west of 현풍면 Hyeunpung Myeon, county subdivision of 달성군 Dalseong gun, Dalseong county.

Dodong means that Confucian philosophy comes from the east. Visitors can see the wooden name plate of the academy in the main hall, whose letters were written by the King in 1607. This Academy was dedicated to 김굉필 Kim Gwoingpil, one of the great scholars during Joseon dynasty and its architectural and historical value have been estimated by designating it as a national treasure in 1963.

Confucian scholars had a preference for the silent and scenic place as Buddhist monks did. The academy against the mountains is close to 낙동강 Nakdong gang, Nakdong river.

Windy Mountain

Located about half way between 부산 Busan and 대구 Daegu, 밀양 Miryang city offers a cozy and relaxing atmosphere with cultural and historical attractions. About 1300-year-old 표충사 Pyochungsa is one of the well-known temples in Miryang.

Behind the temple, a scenic mountain named 재약산 Jaeyaksan, Mt. Jaeyak is located, on the wide plateau where pampas grasses grow. Several small temples annexed to Pyochungsa are scattered on the mountain. Pampas grass turns yellowish brown in winter, creating a romantic mountain landscape.

The view shows the southern ridge to the summit of Mt. Jaeyak.