Golgulsa Tempel, Gyeongju. Apart from the cliffside Buddha this temple nestled in a narrow valley is well-known for Sunmudo, a Korean martial art which has Taekwondo characteristics combined with Buddhist spirituality. Since historic Korea had no standing army Buddhist monks often defended the early nation against foreign aggressors.

I spent one night in this temple. I studied Sunmudo in the beginners class in the evening and I had to get up at an unearthy hour to join the chanting and meditation of the monks on the terrace seen on the picture above. Of course, I didn't understand a single word but just joined in in the general mumbling... The breakfast was strictly Buddhist style. I was lucky to meet a Norwegian novice at the temple who could explain the procedure in English from a western point of view. After breakfast I joined the general fitness training. A video journalist of the governmental TV station Korea Broadcast Systems (KBS) stayed at the temple for the same night than me. Since he was taping the workout we got some special fighting demonstrations by the novices. After lunch, I travel back to Gyeongju with the KBS journalist. He was a very nice guy and invited me for dinner at his brother's Sushi restaurant in the city. I met a lot of very friendly and helpful people in Gyeongju.