Eure News !

VON: MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION - INTERNATIONAL

Within 23rd October ? 4th November Martial Arts Association - International members did travel to Korea by assistance and arrangement of Grandmaster Kim Young Ho the president of World Mudo Academy, former technical director of World Taekwondo Federation during 7 years.

The martial artist from France, Azerbaijan, Portugal, Nigeria, Germany and Luxemburg visited several main cities of Korea: Seoul, Daejeon, Naju, Buyo, Jangheung, Gangjin and Jeongeup.

The main purposes of traveling were to study Korean history, history of Korean martial arts, culture, traditions and life habits; to pass Mudo instructor course in the Mokwon University; to live in Buyo Temple and practice meditation and internal energy training with monks; to visit historical, educational and cultural places as ancient traditional temples, the capital cities of Koguryo, Baekjae and Silla kingdoms, National Park, Samhanji Theme Park, Folk Festival, Mokwon University, Kukkiwon and several national museums.

The first place for staying was Mokwon University in Daejeon city.

Mokwon University founded in 1954. Mokwon is being recognized as having achieved great results by playing a leading role in the development of the Korean Church and  in regional cultural activities. Mokwon, with seven colleges, five graduate schools and about 10,000 students. Faculty and staff, has created the image of a highly-developed 21^st century university.

The professor of Mokwon University, Grandmaster Sun-Gong Kim taught Mudo secrets to members of International Group at the Mokwon University. The president of World Mudo Academy Grandmaster Kim Young Ho 9^th Taekwondo and Hapkido was a chief organizer of International Mudo Instructors Course at the Mokwon University.

The Martial Arts Association - International members : Grandmaster Suleyman Mammadli, Master Anar Mammadov  and Master Vidadi Hajiyev (MAA-I Presidency Council member) successfully passed the Mudo Instructors Course and they received Instructor Diplomas from Dr. Yo Han Lee the president of Mokwon University.

The special events were: the Taekwondo demonstration of Mokwon University team, Korean traditional tea ceremony in Buyo Temple, Folk festival in Naju city, traditional painting and calligraphy lessons in Mokwon University, visiting Kukkiwon, Folk concert in Jangheung city. International Traveling Group visited the following historical places: Muwisa Temple situated in the southern foothills of Mt. Wolchulsan, Muwisa was first built by Great Monk Wonhyo of the Silla Kingdom. Its Geukrakbojeon, the main hall, is a typical Jusimpo-style building built in 1430 in which roofs of the front and side join together. It is ranked as one of the best architectures of the Joseon Dynasty.

Goryeo Celadon Kiln Sites designated as Korean National Relic. The Goryeon Celadon Kiln Site in Daegu-myeon, Gangjin was a place where celadon was collectively produced for 500years from the 9^th century to the 14^th century. As many as 180 kilns sites are scattered across nine villages. Wolnamsa Temple is about 1.5 km east from Muwisa Temple. The temple is said to have been built by Jingakguksa Hyesim, a monk of the Goryeo Dynasty, and used to be a large temple which had led the Buddhist culture in the area. Baekryeonsa Temple is thought to have been founded at the end of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was repaired and rebuilt by Monk Wonmyoguksa in 1170 during the region of Goryeo King Myeongjiong.

Jeongsusa Temple according to historical records was said to have been one of the largest temples, yet only small buildings such as Daewoongjeon, the main hall, living quarters of monks and Ungjinj now remaining. The original name of the temple was Ssanggyesa Temple (meaning ?Two Valleys?).

Naju?s Confucianism Temple. This is the place that accommodates memorial tables for 27 great men including Confucius. Among the existing grand memorial halls of Confucius, it is particularly important in the study of Confucian construction in terms of scale and style. In particular, the soil of wall is known to be brought from the homeland of Confucius.

Bulhoe Temple. It is known that an Indian monk named Marananta had created Bulhoe Temple on the eastern hills of Dukryong Mountain in Dado myun in the year 366 during the ruling of King Chimryu in Baekjae. It is an important temple in the study of identifying the propagation route of Buddhism during Baekjae Dynasty.

The International Korea Trip 2008 was supported by Martial Arts Association - International ( www.MAA-I.com ) manager Bernd Hoehle. By his efforts many martial arts such as Moo Sul Taekwondo, Hapkido, Taekuk Musul, Mugido and Daehan Mudo Kwan are intensively developing in many countries.

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