Buddhist temples are an important part of the Korean landscape. This article gives a brief overview of Korean Buddhism, then describes some of the more important temples in Korea. Most Korean temples have names ending in -sa (사, 寺), which means "temple" in Sino-Korean.
[edit] Introduction to Korean Buddhism
- See Korean Buddhism for more information.
A distinctive form of Buddhism evolved in Korea. This was facilitated by the geographical location and cultural conditions. Buddhism first arrived in Korea in 372 in the Goguryeo Kingdom. In 374 the influential Chinese monk Ado arrived in the kingdom and inspired the King Sosurim in the following year. The first two temples Seongmunsa and Ilbullansa were built in 375 on the order of the king. Buddhism soon became the national religion of the Goguryeo.
With the advent of Taoism in 624 the rulers began to suppress Buddhism and its importance quickly declined. The Baekje Kingdom, on the other hand, flourished under the influence of Buddhism. In 552 Buddhist scriptures were sent to Japan. This eventually led to the establishment of Buddhism in Japan.
In Silla Buddhism was important, too. It flourished during the reign of the King Jinheung (540 to 576). The Heungnyunsa temple was completed where any commoner could become a monk. The study of scriptures was greatly highlighted. For about 250 years Buddhism thrived in Unified Silla.
Buddhism was admired by Wang Geon, the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty. Throughout the country pagodas and other Buddhist structures were built. In the late Goryeo period Buddhism became linked with the corruption of the regime. A great number of monks were involved in politics. Bit by bit anti-Buddhist sentiments grew, leading to chaos which was ended by the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty. The king Taejo himself was a devout Buddhist, but the influence of monks was reduced. At times monks were treated as outcasts, but generally there was no hindrance to their practising. Buddhist heritage can be found all over the country in the form of temples, pagodas, sculptures, paintings, handicrafts and buildings.
[edit] Layout
The
sacheonwang-mun of
Beomeosa in Busan.
The
taeyong-jeon of Jeungsimsa in Gwangju.
A typical Korean temple consists of the following elements:[1]
- Ilchu-mun (일주문, 一柱門) - ornamented temple gate
- Sacheonwang-mun (사천왕문, 四天王門) - Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings, to mark the entrance of the temple's boundaries
- Beopdang (법당, 法堂) - Dharma hall, used for lectures and sermons
- Monastic quarters
- Chonggak (종고, 鐘鼓) - bell tower
- Taeyong-jeon (대웅전, 大雄殿) - main shrine hall housing the temple's main Buddha images
- Pagoda
- Myeongbu-jeon (명？전, 明?殿) - judgment hall, housing an image of the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (지장) and depictions of the Buddhist hell
- Nahan-jeon (라한전, 羅漢殿) - Hall of the Arhats
- Sansin-gak (산신각,山神閣) - an Shamanist shrine dedicated to the mountain god Sanshin (산신), who can be depicted as both a male or a female.[2] Sometimes called chilseong-gak (七星閣) or samseong-gak (三星閣), this shrine is usually found behind the main shrine hall.
- Hermitage
[edit] Famous temples
[edit] South Korea
These famous temples are grouped by province.
[edit] North Korea
It is reported that many temples have been taken over by the state. Once the government controls these buildings, they are used mainly as museums of ancient Korean traditions. Only a few temples are still in use, but they are considered national treasures[1]. Though few temples in large cities survived the US carpet bombings of the Korean War, many still survive in rural areas, and some of the more famous, large temples destroyed have since been rebuilt (such as the Ryongtong and Singye temples). All in all, there are 300 temples [2], but only in a few are religious services permitted. These famous temples are grouped by province. [3] Temples marked with a "×" were destroyed during the Korean War or no longer exist for other reasons; temples marked with an "*" have been rebuilt.
|
Location |
Hangul |
Hanja |
| Chonjusa |
Yongbyon |
천주사 |
天柱寺 |
| Kaewonsa |
Tangsang-ri, Kwaksan-gun |
개원사 |
開元寺 |
| Kumgwangsa |
Kumgwang-ri, Uiju-gun |
금광사 |
金光寺 |
| Mannyonsa |
Songan-dong, Kusong |
만년사 |
萬年寺 |
| Pohyonsa |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
보현사 |
普賢寺 |
| Powolsa |
Uhyon-ri, Kujang-gun |
보월사 |
寶月寺 |
| Pakchon Simwonsa |
Sangyang-ri, Pakchon-gun |
심원사 |
深源寺 |
| Ryongmunsa |
Ryongdung Worker's District, Kujang-gun |
룡문사 |
龍門寺 |
| Sounsa |
Yongbyon |
서운사 |
棲雲寺 |
| Yanghwasa |
Sangdan-ri, Taechon-gun |
양화사 |
陽和寺 |
| Habiro Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
하비로암 |
下毘盧庵 |
| Hwajang Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
화장암 |
華藏庵 |
| Kyejo Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
계조암 |
繼祖庵 |
| Mansu Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
만수암 |
萬壽庵 |
| Nungin Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
능인암 |
能仁唵 |
| Puryong Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
불영대 |
佛影臺 |
| Sangwon Hermitage |
Hyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun |
상원암 |
上元庵 |
|
Location |
Hangul |
Hanja |
| Changansa× |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
장안사 |
長安寺 |
| Chongyangsa |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
정양사 |
正陽寺 |
| Anbyon Pohyonsa |
Ryongsin-ri, Anbyon-gun |
보현사 |
普賢寺 |
| Myongjoksa |
Yongsam-ri, Wonsan |
명적사 |
明寂寺 |
| Pyohunsa |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
표훈사 |
表訓寺 |
| Ryongchusa |
Mihyon-ri, Anbyon-gun |
령추사 |
靈鷲寺 |
| Singyesa* |
Onjong-ri, Kosong-gun |
신계사 |
神溪寺 |
| Sogwangsa× |
Solbong-ri, Kosan-gun |
석왕사 |
釋王寺 |
| Yujomsa× |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
유점사 |
楡岾寺 |
| Mahayon Hermitage× |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
마하연 |
摩訶衍 |
| Podok Hermitage |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
보덕암 |
普德庵 |
| Pomun Hermitage |
Solbong-ri, Kosan-gun |
보덕암 |
普德庵 |
| Pulji Hermitage |
Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun |
불지암 |
佛地庵 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
