Samseonggung
Samseonggung is a Korean shamanic shrine along the slopes of Jiri Mountain, Hadong County in South Gyeongsang Province that was created for paying homage to the three mythical founders of Korea:
- Hwanin - or "Divine Regent" is, in the traditional Dangun mythology, portrayed as the Emperor of Heaven himself.
- Hwanung - or "Supreme Divine Regent" is Hwanin's son, who, in the traditional Dangun mythology, descended to the peak of a sacred mountain long ago to bring civilized government and thus benefitted humanity.
- Dangun - or "Grandson of Heaven" is the divine son of Hwanung. Dangun was the fabled founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, around present-day Liaoning, Northeast China and the Korean Peninsula. Dangun is said to have founded the kingdom in 2333 BCE.
Origin
Samseonggung shrine was established in 1983 by Ham Pil, a Taoist priest claiming his family based Taoist lineage occupied this part of Jiri Mountain for the last 400 years. Additional construction and updating is ongoing.Samseonggung was constructed on this site based in the spirit of Hongik Ingan and Euihwa Segye to continue the Baedal people's ideology of Seon and the lifestyle of Shinseondo. The teachings include Chung, Hyo, Shin, Yong, and In, these concepts are from Chinese Confucianism. Also, teaching of the "Six Skills" of reading, archery, horse riding, propriety, Gwonbak, and music and song.
Characteristics
Available at the entrance to Samseonggung is a museum and gift shop offering a variety visitor amenities. The pathway up to the main shrine grounds meanders through the hillside past an interesting mix of sights and shrines.At the end of the path one encounters the closed gate to the main shrine grounds. Access is gained by striking the gong, secured to a wooden post located just outside the gated entrance, three times. A monk shortly appears and gives a brief lecture about Samseonggung, explaining the various rules for visiting, including instructions on how to bow to the three founders. Once inside, one of the visitors in the group may be asked to don traditional clothes.
Erected to ward off evil spirits, there are many stone and wood poles called Jangseung and Bangsadap - sometimes called doldap, conical stone pyramids throughout the grounds. Visitors can walk pathways around the grounds to see the many totems and the approximately 1,500 stone pyramids, found throughout the grounds of Samseonggung.