Stories of the Punggyeong (풍경) > Top Post

Stories of the Punggyeong (풍경)

 

Today, we’ll discover the presence and meaning of a wind chime with a fish (called a punggyeong, 풍경), which you’ll be able to find most frequently under the eaves of a roof at a Korean Buddhist temple. When there is a wind blowing, it shakes the fish, and its movement rings the bell. A few of such examples are as follows.

 

A punggyeong at the Bongseonsa Temple (in Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do Province)

 A punggyeong at the Gilsangsa Temple in Seoul

 

A punggyeong at the Beopheungsa Temple (in Gangwondo Province)

A punggyeong hanging on a cord running across a door at the Jeondeungsa Temple on Ganghwa-do Island

 

Yet, it is to be noted that the punggyeong can be seen not only at Buddhist temples but in many places, including businesses and shops, and even at private homes. 

The widespread presence of the punggyeong indicates that Korean people do love it. It doesn’t mean that Koreans are mostly Buddhists, which is not really the case, even though a substantial portion of the Koreans are Buddhists. The punggyeong seems to evoke some pleasant or peaceful minds or memories among Korean people.

And there is a Buddhist message contained in the punggyeong: keep learning and practicing the law (or wheel) of truth. Although I am not a Buddhist myself, I find that message just beautiful.

In fact, as a Roman Catholic layperson, that Buddhist message resonates with the important Christian teaching: “Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.” (Matthew 24:42) “Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 25:13) 

All roads lead to Rome, you know. No wonder. We are all brothers and sisters of the world – one humanity.

Ceramic butterfly punggyeongs in a café

 

 A punggyeong hanging on the eaves of a roof at a traditional Korean restaurant

 

A punggyeong hanging on the eaves at a cabin (owned by a friend of mine) on a mountainside in the Gyeonggi Province

 

A punggyeong hanging on the ceiling in a sashimi (raw fish) restaurant 

A rusty bronze punggyeong hanging on the door of my office in Seoul

 

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