HOME | Contact Us | Sitemap
Structures of Youngsanjae

For orchestrating Yeongsanjae it has been called simply "one day offering to Buddha and three days Yeongsan." It means the continuation for three days and nights. From its name we can imagine the scale of the ceremony. The first day of three consists of Siryeon, Daeryeong and Gwan-yok in the daylight, Yeongban in the evening, and the early morning ceremony and rounding of compound in advance. In the second day after Jojeonjeom-an, Sinjungjakbeop, Gwaebul-iyun, the first half of Yeongsan is proceeded. Next is the highlight of Yeongsanjae, Sikdangjakbeop. The same procedures as the first day are followed in the evening. The third day is started with the second half of Yeongsan, Unsusangdan, Jungdan-Socheongjungwi, Sinjungtoegong, Gwaneumsisik, Jeonsisik and Sodaebongsong. The final event of Yeongsanjae is Hoehyang Seolbeop [sermon], which is announcing the end of the ceremony.


Buddhist Tools

Buddhist Tools for Yeongsanjae
To perform Yeongsanjae, a large outdoor altar is set up and many tools are arranged in front of hanging Buddha painting. The tools are called as Bulgu and used for glorification of Buddha. It is written in Yaksayeoraebonwongyeong that "we shall pay a ultimate respect with jewels, flags, parasols, and music. We shall keep (Buddha statue) in a clean and high place, covering with five colored silk pockets and all beautiful flowers and incenses. Buddhism tools are used in ceremonies and training, and also called as "Beopgu", "Samul" and "Sabo".


Buddhist Tools
1. Cheongae - Datjip Chattra in Indian language, it is similar to a parasol over Buddha statue and is to protect the table in the Buddhist sanctum from rain and dust.
2. Dangbeon - Bosanggae Dang - a mark which is to lead all living creatures and to make all evil sprits surrender Beon - a flag which shows the greatness of Buddha and is used for wish of blessings sometimes
3. Hwaman - a bouquet maid of sewed or string-tied flowers
4. Yeonhwadaejwa - Hwadae, Yeondae, Yeonhwadae a lotus shaped carving seat for Buddha statue, also called Yeonhwajwa or Yeonhwadaejwa
5. Utensils for worship ceremony Bulgi - tableware for food offerings for Buddha statue
Dagi - tea set
Hyangro - an incense burner
Dagwan - a tea pot
Daban - a plate for tea pot
Beopgu - tools for training of Buddhism

Daesamul[four great tools]
(1). Beomjong[temple bell] Originated from Chinese temple bell and Geonchu (an instrument made of wood to make sound with striking both pieces). Also called as Ingyeong. Its sound is expected to set free all souls suffering in the hell and hovering around. It was striked 36 times in old days. However, it is divided into 33 and 28 strikes according to the occasions.
(2). Drum (Beopgo) - to direct animal lives
(3). Mok-eo[wooden fish] - to direct lives in the water and on the earth
(4). Unpan - a cloud-shaped plate to direct lives in the space

Sosamul[four small instruments]
(1). Dongra, Taejing - musical instruments used in the ceremonies
(2). Bara - Dongbal, Yobal a musical instrument used in the Buddhist dances. Round shaped and using both hands with holding inner cloth tie.
(3). Yoryeong - small bell made of brass with a handle. Sound from shaking it.
(4). Jukbi - bamboo piece cut halfway lengthwise. To make sound, hold it in right hand and strike on left palm. Also used for zen practice and other ceremonies.
(5). Beopra, Pae - musical instruments made of trumpet shell with metal mouth piece. It is used for a muster call for the ceremonies in case of public roundings or Buddhist masses.
Samhyeon - three kinds of string instruments, Geomun-go, Gayatgo and Dangbipa
Yukgak - set of musical instruments with drum, Janggu, Haegeum, Piri and two Daepyeongso
Chwitaak - top shell, drum, Jwabal, Hojeok


Jakbeopmu[Dance Performance]

Jakbeopmu in Yeongsanjae is a expression of buddhist training and enlightenment. It represents physical devotion with body movements, vocal devotion with chanting Sutra and mental devotion with cherishing of three treasures, Buddha, His Teachings and monks. It proceeds along with the clear voice of Eojang monk. There are Baramu [cymbals dance], Nabimu [butterfly dance], Beopgomu [drum dance] and Tajumu [a dance, similar to butterfly dance]. These dances are used partially during the Yeongsanjae ceremony.

1. In Yeongsanjae ceremony, the dances are performed in Siryeon, Gwanyok, Sinjungjakbe -op, Jojeonjeom-an, Gwaebul-iun, Sangdan-gwongong, Sikdangjakbeop. There are no dances in Daeryeong, Sinjungtoegong, Sisik and Bongsonguisik.

2. In Yeongsanjae ceremony, four dances, Baramu, Nabimu, Beopgomu and Tajumu are performed.

3. Baramu is performed at Siryeon (Yojapbara after Onghoge, Yojapbara after guigyeongjak -beop), Gwanyok (Gwanyokgebara, Hwauijaejineonbara), Sinjungjakbeop (Yojapbara and Myeongbara after Onghoge), Jojeonjeom-an (Yojapbara after Gyeongham-iun Onghoge), Gwaebul-iun (Yojapbara after Onghoge), Sangdangwon-gong (Naerimgebara, Cheonsubar -a, Sadaranibara after Hyanghwachung/Sanhwarak) and Sikdangjakbeop (Yojapbara after Jagwiuibul jakbeop). Yojapbaramu follows Nabimu all times.

4. Nabimu is performed at Siryeon (Sabangyosinjakbeop, Dagejakbeop, Guigyeongjakbeo p), Gwaebul-iun (Dagejakbeop), Sangdangwon-gong (Samgwiuijakbeop, Doryanggejakbeo p, Dagejakbeop, Hyangwhagejakbeop, Samnamtaejak, Jiokgojakbeop after Changhon, Guwon-geopjungjakbeop, Omnamjakbeop after Yokgeon-i/Jeongbeopyejin-eon, Unsimgeja -kbeop, Daegakseokgajonjakbeop) and Sikdangjakbeop (Jagwiuibuljakbeop).

5. Beopgomu is performed at Siryeon (Beopgomu after Guigyeongjakbeop), Sangdangwon-gong (Beopgomu after Doryeonggejakbeop) and Sikdangjakbeop (Beopgomu after Ogwang -e).

6. Tajumu is performed in between the chanting hymns at Sikdangjakbeop. Presently Yeongsanjae is held as one day ceremony rather than 3 day ceremony. There is no difference in structure but simplified process in Pompae[buddhist music] and Jakbeopmu[buddhist dance performance] between one day and three day ceremony.



Stage and Ornamentation

Stage and Ornamentation of Yeongsanjae In Yeongsanjae the ornamentation of buddhist sanctum and temple means decorations with colored flags written all names of Buddha and Boddhisattivas, and various types of paper flowers. The general purpose of it is to stir up people's belief and delight with the beautiful decorations. It is divided into two types, ceremonial ornamentation and educational ornamentation. For ceremonial ornamentation, some objects or paintings of them to be worshiped, such as murals and buddhist paintings are used. For the educational purpose, engravings or paintings of Buddha and His followers appearing in the charts of Buddha's Teachings and Buddha's former lives. It also helps public to understand Buddhism easily. Various styles of flags in Yeongsanjae Samsinbeon (representing of Beopbohwa Samsin), Bogobeon (Sambo and Sajung), Oyeorae, Chilyeorae, Obangbeon, Isipsambulbeon, Hangmabeon, Sijubeon, Deungyong, Bukdeung, Wangdeung, Sanhwarak, Jin-eonjip, Chuksangbeon, Saseumgwae, Inmulgwae, Hwagwae, 4 Bosal [Bodhisattva], Geum-eunjeon[gold and silver coins]-gwae, Sip-ijido, Palgeumgan g, Chunghwangmok, Inrobeon, flags, kites, Ilsan[parasol], Yongsangbang