The connection with the local primitive religion is the one of the most interesting part of Buddhism in Korea.
The proof of this connection seems the hall for Mountain God. There exist several variants in this architecture. Usually there are three figures in this hall, the center is Buddha, the figures of the side are the mountain god and the monk who attains enlightenment alone. So called 3 sacred hall.
The origin of Mountain God in Korea is unknown. But in my guess, Mountain god must’ve had a long history in Korean people. In Choson dynasty, even King had served ceremony for mountain god every year.
In this temple, there was the hall for only one mountain god.
More interesting thing was there was a wife of Mountain god.
I’ve never ever seen Mountain God couple.
The hall of Mountain God was so beautiful with the autumn leaves.
The wife of Mountain god seemed more focused in this painting like as Korean common couples.
Even though Korean society is the patriarchal system, wives’ power is much more stronger at home.
Below is the close shoot.
This painting seemed to reflect the real life in Korean society.