Guanyin Seaside Path — Sit and Watch the Sea Online
The Guanyin Seaside Path is a walk along the shore at Goyosa, the temple inside Hapjang (합장), the browser-based online temple. It has a Seaside Guanyin statue facing the water, a small hermitage and a hexagonal pavilion. Take one of the three sea benches and the view switches to first person, so you can rest watching the sea and the boats on it.
- Where
- The seaside path at Goyosa
- What to see
- Seaside Guanyin statue, a small hermitage, a hexagonal pavilion, 10 boats
- What you can do
- Sit on a sea bench and rest in first-person view
- Sea benches
- 3 seats
What is a seaside Guanyin?
Guanyin, known in Korea as Gwanseeum Bosal (Avalokiteshvara), is the bodhisattva of compassion who is said to hear the cries of the world and come to help. A statue of Guanyin standing on the shore and looking out to sea is commonly called a Haesu Gwaneum (seaside Guanyin), and it is often linked with prayers for the safety of people out at sea. Korea has several temples on its east, south and west coasts that are known as places to pray to Guanyin.
The Guanyin path at Goyosa
Goyosa's Guanyin Seaside Path has a Seaside Guanyin statue facing the water, a small hermitage and a hexagonal pavilion. Ten boats float on the sea, and three benches along the path look out over it. The path is not a copy of any real seaside temple; it was built new for Goyosa.
How to rest on a sea bench
- Sit on an empty sea bench and the view changes to first person, as if you were looking at the sea with your own eyes.
- There are only three benches. If they are all taken, you can stay a while at the hexagonal pavilion or in front of the Seaside Guanyin statue instead.
- If you would like to chant Guanyin's name with prayer beads, see Chanting with prayer beads.
Where to go after the Guanyin path
From here you can visit the Worry-Melting Hot Spring and the Campfire Nook and Music Courtyard with its log fire. Inside the temple grounds, the Gwaneumjeon (Avalokiteshvara Hall) is also dedicated to Guanyin.
Try it in Hapjang
Walk along the Guanyin path and move close to an empty sea bench to sit down. The view switches to first person; when you want to stand up, follow the prompt on screen. In front of the Seaside Guanyin statue you can use [Greet] at the bottom of the screen to put your palms together or make a half bow, and you can take out your beads with the [Prayer beads] button or the B key to chant Guanyin's name.
Frequently asked questions
What is a seaside Guanyin (Haesu Gwaneum)?
It is the common name for a statue of Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) placed on the shore so that it faces the sea. It is often linked with prayers for the safety of people out at sea.
What can I do on the Guanyin path in Hapjang?
You can look around the Seaside Guanyin statue, the small hermitage and the hexagonal pavilion, and sit on one of the three sea benches to rest while watching the sea in first-person view.
Are Gwanseeum Bosal and Gwaneum Bosal the same?
Yes. Gwaneum Bosal, Gwanseeum Bosal and Gwanjajae Bosal are all Korean names for the same bodhisattva, known in English as Avalokiteshvara or Guanyin.
Related pages
- Myeongbujeon, Gwaneumjeon, Sansingak — Korean Temple HallsWhat are Myeongbujeon, Gwaneumjeon and Sansingak in a Korean temple? Learn what each small hall honors, then see all three at Goyosa in Hapjang.
- Namu Amitabul & Om Mani Padme Hum: Meaning, How to ChantWhat Namu Amitabul, Gwanseeum Bosal and Om Mani Padme Hum mean, how to chant one per prayer bead, and a wordless option that counts breaths instead.
- Worry-Melting Hot Spring — Korean Bathhouse Rest OnlineA hot spring rest area at Goyosa in Hapjang, an online Korean temple. Sit in a warm bath, hot bath or foot bath and sip sikhye side by side with others.
- A 5- or 10-Minute Break: How to Rest Your Mind QuicklyFive minutes at work, ten before bed. Short ways to breathe, walk and simply watch at Hapjang, Goyosa, an online temple you open in your browser.
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