From: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: the_dojang-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: The_Dojang-Digest V9 #7 Reply-To: the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: the_dojang-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: The_Dojang-Digest Mon, 7 Jan 2002 Vol 09 : Num 007 In this issue: the_dojang: Sungja-Do Seminar the_dojang: Samneung Park the_dojang: . ========================================================================= The_Dojang, serving the Internet since June 1994. 800 members strong! Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource The premier internet discussion forum devoted to the Korean Martial Arts. Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe the_dojang-digest" (no quotes) in the body (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. To send e-mail to this list use the_dojang@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Korean Martial Arts (KMA) FAQ and the online search engine for back issues of The_Dojang at http://MartialArtsResource.com Pil Seung! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "ISA CONSULTATION GROUP" Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 13:54:43 -0500 Subject: the_dojang: Sungja-Do Seminar To all in the area of New Orleans, LA: SUNGJA-DO seminar with Grm. George Petrotta Where: World Academy of Martial Arts (WAMA) 5101 West Esplanade Ave. Metairie, La. 70006 (504) 885-4254 When: Sunday, February 24th 2:00 P.M.. - 6:00 P.M... Cost: Preregistration (before 2/16/02): $ 30.00 At the door: $ 36.00 *I.S.A. Members: $ 26.00 Spectators: $ 5.00 Free I.S.A. Membership is available at the seminar How To Register: • Call us so we can FAX you an application: (504) 885-4254. Fill it out and fax it back to the same number. • Go online @ http://www.healthbehavior.comWAMA.shtml, or http://www.koreanmartialartsacademy.com • Visit WAMA @ 5101 W. Esplanade Ave, Metairie, LA 70006. • Make checks payable to “World Academy of Martial Arts (WAMA).” _________________________________________________________________ Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 7:16:31 PST Subject: the_dojang: Samneung Park Joseon Kings at Rest in Heart of Gangnam January 6, 2002 For some of the most stunning tombs and stone statues dating from the early period of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), one need look no further than the surprisingly and undeservingly little known Samneung Park. Located just a few meters from the ultra-modern Tehranro area in southern Seoul, the park, perhaps one of Kangnam's largest green areas, is where King Seongjong, his wife, Queen Cheonghyeon, and their son King Chungjong are interred, each in their own exclusive mound. The grassy tombs and exquisite statues are situated in serene woodland, which feels a world away from the hectic hustle of Samseong-dong. On any given weekend when most of Gangnam appears to be either at the COEX or stuck in traffic, the park is virtually empty and provides a welcome retreat from the crowds. There is, of course, as with most of Seoul's cultural relics, an intriguing history, which compliments the striking beauty of the site. Samneung's graves tell the story of the seemingly perpetual cycles of moral, corrupt and puppet rule. On entering the park the first tomb you'll come across is that of King Seongjong (who reigned from 1469 to 1494). He is the grandson of the notoriously brutal King Sejo (r.1455-1468) whose most memorable act was carrying out a bloodbath of several scholars who came to be known as the sayuksin (six martyred ministers). However, the royal gene pool was not all bad news, as Songjong was also the great grandson of King Sejong (r.1418-1450), who is widely regarded as Korea's greatest ruler and accredited with the monumental feat of developing the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. In the days when Seoul was known as Hanyang, Seongjong ascended the throne at the tender age of 12. For the next seven years, King Sejo's wife Chonghui acted as regent. Under Seongjong's rule, the Confucian system of government and society reached its peak as a result of his decision to continue his great-grandfathers' Neo-Confucian principles, which dictated that the state be a moral instrument that worked to keep corruption and spending in check. His active interest in literature and history - as opposed to murder and usurpation - resulted in the publication of a great many books on those subjects. The front of his tomb is guarded by impressively large stone figures of civilian and military officials accompanied by some miniature horses, placed around a "spirit table" and stone lantern. Gathered around the sides of the tomb are additional sculptures of rather docile-looking tigers and mangjusok sheep. Several hundred meters to the east of Seongjong's tomb lies the burial site of his second wife (his first wife Konghye died at age 18), Queen Cheonghyeon. She outlived her husband by 36 years, until her death at Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1530. Her grave is watched over by many of the same characters as her spouse's. Climb over a hill to visit the tomb of their son, the 11th ruler of the Choson Dynasty, King Chungjong (r.1506-1544) and you'll be treated to a magnificent view that contrasts beautifully with Korea's modern and ancient architecture. Age-old statues and temple roofs dotted with animal figures are set against a seemingly endless array of glimmering skyscrapers. Chungjong ruled at a time when powerful officials dominated political affairs, practically relegating the royal family to the pursuit of cultural activities. Some historians are of the opinion that by the end of his reign the kings of the Choson dynasty had lost their supreme authority, which was not to be fully regained for another two centuries. Chungjong was originally buried at Goyang, northwest of Seoul, but was moved to Samneung on the insistence of his third wife, who planned to share a tomb with him. However, on her death her wishes were ignored and she was buried at Taeneung, northeastern Seoul, leaving Chungjong to rest in the peace and tranquility of his corner of Samneung park alone. Samneung Park (Historic Site No. 199) is a five-minute walk from Sollung subway station on the green line 2. The entrance fee is 400 won and the park is closed on Mondays. ------------------------------ From: Ray Terry Date: Mon, 07 Jan 2002 11:55:58 PST Subject: the_dojang: . ------------------------------ End of The_Dojang-Digest V9 #7 ****************************** It's a great day for Taekwondo! Support the USTU by joining today. US Taekwondo Union, 1 Olympic Plaza, Ste 104C, Colorado Spgs, CO 80909 719-578-4632 FAX 719-578-4642 ustutkd1@aol.com http://www.ustu.org To unsubscribe from the_dojang-digest send the command: unsubscribe the_dojang-digest -or- unsubscribe the_dojang-digest your.old@address in the BODY (top line, left justified) of a "plain text" e-mail addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com. Copyright 1994-2002: Ray Terry and Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply. Remember 9-11!