If you want to leave the tiring weekdays behind, try 'Sansa for the Weekend'
Among the 100 mountain temples visited every weekend by a designer with 10 years of experience at a large company
An essay capturing the seven most special places in delicate pen drawings.

The wisdom and deep thoughts of old architecture amidst the MZ generation's Buddhist craze
A slow but profound mountain walk unfolded through sensual pictures.

Yoon Seol-hee, the author of "Weekend Mountain Temple," has worked as a graphic designer for a large corporation for over 10 years, creating various contents in a square office and behind a monitor.
Then, I felt a thirst for 'my own space', and to find the answer, I traveled to mountain temples across the country that were open to anyone.
The author, who has visited and reported on over 100 mountain temples every weekend since 2019, explored the temples with the thought that “understanding the space I have set foot in is understanding my life,” and recorded the seven most special places with delicate pen drawings.

As the MZ generation continues to embrace Buddhism, "Weekend at the Mountain Temple" shows another side of the charm of the mountain temple as seen through the eyes of a young, talented designer and hard-working office worker.
It also offers a "slow but profound travel method" for those accustomed to quick-to-obtain but fleeting pleasures and those weary of relentless competition and anxiety, while discovering the wisdom of life and profound reflection contained in old architecture.
From Seonamsa Temple, where you can discover the diverse faces of space, to Bongeunsa Temple, where you can enjoy the tranquility in the city, the stories of seven mountain temples, told with a unique sensibility, will be a meaningful companion for those of us who need a "room of our own."

I decided to get out of the small space.
I thought that broadening our understanding of space was similar to broadening our understanding of life.

--- p.8 From “Entering”

Let's take a picture of the tree trunk opposite the main gate, which looks like a couple embracing each other.
It's nothing special, but I enjoy finding things like this.
After passing through the main gate, look for the cheese-colored cat at the bell tower.
--- p.37 From “Seonamsa Temple, Jogyesan Mountain”

I guess I'm just a modern person who can't help but check social media even when I'm in the mountains.
It was definitely good, but my trip doesn't really explain it well.
It feels like it doesn't shine as much as other people's trips.
But I know enough to know that I am a person who likes to travel and discover things over a long period of time.

--- p.60 From “Seonamsa Temple, Jogyesan Mountain”

The stone walls were made using natural stones without processing them.
The small stones that fill the gaps between the stone walls are small, but they seem to play their own role, and it warms my heart.

--- p.90 From “Bongwhangsan Buseoksa Temple”

I came down from the investigation hall and leaned against the pillar of the Muryangsujeon (like the title of the book).
Beyond Anyangru, the peaks of the Sobaek Mountains appear like a painting.
The scenery is so beautiful that all the difficult process feels like a beautiful narrative for the ending.
--- p.98 From “Bongwhangsan Buseoksa Temple”

Rather than visiting the mountain temple solely as a tourist attraction, I would like to approach it as a place where I can gain enlightenment.
I hope that understanding the architecture of the space I live in will become a process of understanding myself.
--- p.123 From “Taking a Break, About the Mountain Temple”

There is an interesting wall to the right of Cheonghandang.
This wall is open so anyone can come in.
It really feels like nature flows in and becomes a garden.
The wall is open, so the mountain behind it becomes the temple's garden.

--- p.156 From “Mansusan Muryangsa Temple”

I go to temples and gain many enlightenments, but if I live according to my enlightenment, I will become a Buddha.
I am not Buddha, so I am just waiting for this enlightenment to become mine, and I am going to Geumsansa Temple, where the Buddha's relics are kept.

--- p.175 From “Moaksan Geumsansa”

Geumsansa Temple operates independently in many ways, departing from Buddhist rules and architectural styles.
If you look at it from a Buddhist perspective, it might seem arbitrary.
However, from an outsider's perspective, this unique aspect of Geumsansa Temple felt like a flexible and balanced conversation.

--- p.208 From “Moaksan Geumsansa”

They say jazz is a conversation between musicians, and I think Korean architecture is similar.
It develops and applies in various ways according to the situation, person, and nature without strict rules.
If Western architecture is a symphony with musical notation, Korean architecture can be likened to jazz and samulnori, which are improvised instruments without musical notation.

--- p.231 From “Two Rests, Architecture of Relationships”

Sujongsa Temple is located deep in the mountains, so it is difficult for many people to find, but the view from the high place is special.
It's a perspective you can get because you don't want to be loved by many people.
People who love this scenery definitely come here.
I limited my horizons for fear of looking old-fashioned in the eyes of others.
I used to think, 'What's wrong with wanting to look good and be loved more?' But I'm curious about what I can do and feel when I let go of that mindset.

--- p.259 From “Yun Gil-san’s Monk”

I recall a time when we sought liberation from the hardships of life through hope, not violence.
I felt a small, cozy happiness as I touched the stones warmed by the sun.
I wonder which stone sculptures others like best, and who they think of when they see this Buddha statue.

--- p.288 From “Cheonbulsan Unjusa”

A mountain temple with a good location and great scenery is nice, but it doesn't seem to be the only thing that's important.
If it's a location that anyone can easily find, it's more important for everyone to learn about Buddhism easily and enjoyably.
In that respect, Bongeunsa Temple was sufficient.
(…) I think that who I am who sees it is more important than what is seen.
If I know what I want, I just have to fill it.

--- p.334 From “Bongeunsa Temple in Sudosan Mountain”