| Jiri-san 지리산 the Exquisite-Wisdom Mountain |
| an idealized view of Jiri-san's highest peak and the monument on it, from KNTO |
I translate its name "Ji-ri" as "Exquisite Wisdom", a Buddhist-based term -- spiritual
wisdom that is above-the-ordinary, refined, precious and rare. It fits. The term "exquisite
wisdom" is used in the famous Diamond and Lotus Sutras as the type of wisdom
possessed and employed by Munsu-bosal [Manjusri or Monju (Jp), the Bodhisattva of
Wisdom] to enlighten each Buddha before it manifests into our world, and to potentially
enlighten all the universe's beings. This massive mountain has long been associated
with this key Buddhist deity, and several of the temples found here reflect that emphasis.
As a result, Koreans commonly say that staying for a while on the slopes of this mountain
will transform a foolish people into wise ones.
Alpine springs of very high-quality water flow down
into two-dozen dramatic valleys and famous scenic
gorges. Twelve great Buddhist temples and more
than 60 smaller ones are found around the slopes,
with several shrines and well-known folk-culture sites.
Half of Korea's eight highest-altitude temples are
found in these mountains. Most of Jiri-san is a
National Park -- Korea's oldest and still the largest
mountain-based one. It was designated at the end
of December 1967 by President Park Chung-hee.
wisdom that is above-the-ordinary, refined, precious and rare. It fits. The term "exquisite
wisdom" is used in the famous Diamond and Lotus Sutras as the type of wisdom
possessed and employed by Munsu-bosal [Manjusri or Monju (Jp), the Bodhisattva of
Wisdom] to enlighten each Buddha before it manifests into our world, and to potentially
enlighten all the universe's beings. This massive mountain has long been associated
with this key Buddhist deity, and several of the temples found here reflect that emphasis.
As a result, Koreans commonly say that staying for a while on the slopes of this mountain
will transform a foolish people into wise ones.
Alpine springs of very high-quality water flow down
into two-dozen dramatic valleys and famous scenic
gorges. Twelve great Buddhist temples and more
than 60 smaller ones are found around the slopes,
with several shrines and well-known folk-culture sites.
Half of Korea's eight highest-altitude temples are
found in these mountains. Most of Jiri-san is a
National Park -- Korea's oldest and still the largest
mountain-based one. It was designated at the end
of December 1967 by President Park Chung-hee.
| Jiri-san's location at the bottom of the Korean peninsula, on a satellite photo -- its lofty peaks are the brown spots clearly visible in the upper center of this picture. The white areas indicate civilization, not snow... |
| Looking south across the Seomjin River on a typically foggy morning |
| Myself at what may be the Budo of Doseon-daesa, in April 2006 |
| Cheonhwang-bong seen from Yeongwon-sa area |
| Hiking up on the long, high main ridge |
| Green Tea growing on the steep slopes of the Daeseong-gyegok scenic-valley |
| On Highway 19 on the north bank of the Seomjin River in October 2004, pumpkins and religious-motif stone-carvings are on sale. |
| Looking south from that same place, the placid Seomjin River flows by. |
Jiri-san is listed as one of Korea's most sacred
places on Martin Gray's excellent Sacred Sites
of the World website, on this page about Korea.
For plenty of information and beautiful photos
of the world's holy pilgrimage destinations,
get his excellent new 275-page book:
Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power.
places on Martin Gray's excellent Sacred Sites
of the World website, on this page about Korea.
For plenty of information and beautiful photos
of the world's holy pilgrimage destinations,
get his excellent new 275-page book:
Sacred Earth: Places of Peace and Power.
| Snowy scene on an entrance-ticket |
| Jiri-san Shilpi-dan Falls, during the Summer rainy-season |
| excellent time-lapse video of Jiri's peaks, by Lee Hyeong-gun, 2012 |