Korean Buddhist temples

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.

Temples, such as Sudeoksa offers visitors a "Temple Stay Program".[1]

Background

Further information: Korean Buddhism

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.

Typical Layout

A typical Korean temple consists of the following elements:[2]

  1. Iljumun (일주문, 一柱門) - One pillar gate found at the entrance to temple grounds
  2. Sacheonwangmun (사천왕문, 四天王門), also Cheonwangmun - Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings, to mark the entrance of the temple's boundaries
  3. Beopdang (법당, 法堂) - Dharma hall, used for lectures and sermons
  4. Monastic quarters
  5. Jonggo (종고, 鐘鼓) - bell tower
  6. Daeungjeon (대웅전, 大雄殿) - main shrine hall housing the temple's main Buddha images
  7. Pagoda
  8. Myeongbujeon (명부전, 冥府殿) - judgment hall, housing an image of the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (지장) and depictions of the Buddhist hell
  9. Nahanjeon (나한전, 羅漢殿) - Hall of the Arhats
  10. Sansingak (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.[3] Sometimes called chilseong-gak (칠성각, 七星閣) or samseong-gak (삼성각, 三星閣), this shrine is usually found behind the main shrine hall.
  11. Hermitage
Sacheonwangmun
Beomeosa in Busan.
Daeungjeon
Jeungsimsa in Gwangju.
Jonggak
Guinsa.
Typical layout (to be completed)

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. A few temples are still in use and they are considered national treasures. 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 , but only in a few are religious services permitted.
In the list that follows, temples marked with a "×" were destroyed during the Korean War or no longer exist for other reasons; temples marked with an "*" have been rebuilt.

Yongmyongsa in the 1930s
Singyesa in the 1930s
Sogwangsa in the 1930s
Mahayon Hermitage in the 1930s
Pictures taken in the 1930s

South Korea

(a short text should be given here, describing the evolution of the temples from 1945 till now).

Notable temples in both Koreas


The following list is given by provinces (SK=South Korea, NK=North Korea), but it also can be sorted by Romanized or Korean names. Some Korean names, and founding dates are to be completed (the founding date applies to the location, even if none of the original structures survive). Recommended policy: no new entries, except from temples having their own English page in Wikipedia.

Province Temple Location Hangul Hanja Founded
SK Seoul Gyeongguksa 753 Jeongneung-dong, Jongno-gu 경국사 慶國寺 1325
SK Seoul Gwaneumsa 관음사 觀音寺
SK Seoul Doseonsa Bukhansan : 264 Ui-dong, Gangbuk-gu 도선사 道詵寺 862
SK Seoul Bongeunsa Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu 봉은사 奉恩寺 794
SK Seoul Bongwonsa Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun-gu 봉원사 奉元寺 889
SK Seoul Yeonghwasa 영화사 永華寺
SK Seoul Jogyesa Gyeonji-dong, Jongno-gu 조계사 曹溪寺 1395 & 1910
SK Seoul Jingwansa 진관사 津寬寺
SK Gyeonggi Bomunsa
SK Gyeonggi Jeondeungsa
SK Gyeonggi Bongnyeongsa
SK Gyeonggi Bongseonsa 봉선사 奉先寺 969
SK Gyeonggi Silleuksa Yeoju-gun 신륵사 神勒寺 580
SK Gyeonggi Yeonjuam
SK Gyeonggi Yongjusa Hwasan, Taean-eup, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-si 용주사 龍珠寺 854
SK Gyeonggi Jajaeam
SK Gangwon Baekdamsa near Seoraksan, Inje-gun 백담사 百潭寺 650 circa
SK GangwonSK Guryongsa
SK Gangwon Naksansa 낙산사 洛山寺 671
SK Gangwon Deungmyeong-nakgasa
SK Gangwon Samhwasa
SK Gangwon Sinheungsa Seoraksan, Sokcho-si 신흥사(향성사)神興寺(香城寺) 650 circa
SK Gangwon Oseam Seoraksan 오세암 五歲庵 643
SK Gangwon Woljeongsa Odaesan, Pyeongchang-gun 월정사 月精寺 643
SK Gangwon Cheongpyeongsa
SK North Chungcheong Beopjusa Songnisan, Naesongni-myeon, Boeun-gun 법주사 法住寺 553
SK North Chungcheong Guinsa Sobaeksan, Danyang County-gun 구인사 救仁寺 1945
SK South Chungcheong Magoksa Gongju-si 마곡사 麻谷寺 640
SK South Chungcheong Sudeoksa Deoksungsan, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun 수덕사 修德寺 1308
SK North Gyeongsang Donghwasa Palgongsan, Dohak-dong, Dong-gu, Daegu 동화사 桐華寺 493 and 832
SK North Gyeongsang Pagyesa
SK North Gyeongsang Bogyeongsa
SK North Gyeongsang Bongjeongsa Cheondeungsan, Andong-si 봉정사 鳳停寺 672
SK North Gyeongsang Buseoksa Bonghwangsan, Yeongju-si 부석사 浮石寺 676
SK North Gyeongsang Bulguksa (including Seokguram) Tohamsan, Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju City 불국사 佛國寺 528 and 751
SK North Gyeongsang Golgulsa Yangbuk-Myeon, Gyeongju 골굴사 骨窟寺 *
SK North Gyeongsang Girimsa Hamwolsan, Gyeongju 기림사 祇林寺 643
SK North Gyeongsang Baekryulsa in Gyeongju Geumgangsan, Dongcheon-dong, Gyeongju City 백률사 692
SK North Gyeongsang Hwangnyongsa Tohamsan, Gyeongju National Park 황룡사 栢栗寺 553
SK North Gyeongsang Jikjisa Hwangaksan, Daehang-myeon, Gimcheon-si, 직지사 直指寺 418
SK South Gyeongsang Ssanggyesa Jirisan, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun 쌍계사 雙磎寺 772
SK South Gyeongsang Tongdosa Chiseosan, Yangsan-si 통도사 通度寺 646
SK South Gyeongsang Haeinsa Gayasan 해인사 海印寺 802
SK South Gyeongsang Haedong Yonggungsa Busan
SK South Gyeongsang Beomeosa Geumjeongsan, Busan 범어사 梵魚寺 678
SK North Jeolla Eunsusa Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain), Jinan-gun 은수사 銀水寺
SK North Jeolla Geumdangsa Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain), Jinan-gun 금당사 814
SK North Jeolla Geumsansa Moaksan, Gimje-si 금산사 金山寺 600 and 770
SK North Jeolla Mireuksa Iksan-si 미륵사 彌勒寺 602
SK North Jeolla Naesosa Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun 내소사 633
SK North Jeolla Seonunsa Dosolsan, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun 선운사 禪雲寺 577 [4]
SK North Jeolla Silsangsa
SK North Jeolla Tapsa Jinan-gun 탑사 塔寺 1885
SK South Jeolla Baegyangsa Bukha-myeon, Jangseong-gun 백양사 白羊寺 632
SK South Jeolla Baengnyeonsa Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun 백련사 白蓮寺 650 circa
SK South Jeolla Daeheungsa Duryunsan, Samsan city, Haenam-gun 대흥사 大興寺 514 ?
SK South Jeolla Geumtapsa Cheondeungsan, Podu-myeon, Goheung-gun 금탑사 金塔寺 650 circa
SK South Jeolla Hwaeomsa Jirisan, Masan-myeon, Gurye-gun 화엄사 華嚴寺 544
SK South Jeolla Mihwangsa Dalmasan, Haenam-gun 미황사 美黃寺 749
SK South Jeolla Songgwangsa Songgwangsan, 송광사 松廣寺 867 and 1190
SK South Jeolla Unjusa (National Treasure #312) Hwasun-gun 운주사
SK Jeju Island Gwaneumsa
SK Jeju Island Yakcheonsa
SK Jeju Island Beophwasa
SK Jeju Island Seondeoksa
NK PyongyangChongrungsa*Ryongsan-ri, Ryokpo-guyok정릉사定陵寺
NK PyongyangKwangbopsa*Taesong-dong, Taesong-guyok광법사廣法寺
NK PyongyangRyonghwasaKaeson-dong, Moranbong-guyok룡화사龍華寺
NK PyongyangTong-kumgangamsaOsan-ri, Sunan-guyok동금강암사東金剛庵寺)
NK PyongyangYongmyongsa×NK Moranbong Park, Moranbong-guyok영명사永明寺 *
NK PyongyangPobun HermitageRyongbong-ri, Mangyongdae-guyok법운암法雲庵
NK South PyonganAnguksaPonghak-dong, Pyongsong안국사安國寺 503
NK South PyonganChongjinsaHyangpung-ri, Songchon-gun정진사淨進寺
NK South PyonganPophungsaSinsong-ri, Pyongwon-gun법흥사法興寺
NK North PyonganChonjusa Yongbyon천주사天柱寺 1684
NK North PyonganKaewonsaTangsang-ri, Kwaksan-gun개원사開元寺
NK North PyonganKumgwangsaKumgwang-ri, Uiju-gun금광사金光寺
NK North PyonganMannyonsaSongan-dong, Kusong만년사萬年寺
NK North PyonganPohyonsaHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun보현사普賢寺 1025 circa
NK North PyonganPowolsaUhyon-ri, Kujang-gun보월사寶月寺
NK North PyonganPakchon SimwonsaSangyang-ri, Pakchon-gun심원사深源寺
NK North PyonganRyongmunsaRyongdung Worker's District, Kujang-gun룡문사龍門寺
NK North PyonganSounsaYongbyon서운사棲雲寺
NK North PyonganYanghwasaSangdan-ri, Taechon-gun양화사陽和寺
NK North PyonganHabiro HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun하비로암下毘盧庵
NK North PyonganHwajang HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun화장암華藏庵
NK North PyonganKyejo HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun 계조암繼祖庵
NK North PyonganMansu HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun만수암萬壽庵
NK North PyonganNungin HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun능인암能仁唵
NK North PyonganPuryong HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun불영대佛影臺
NK North PyonganSangwon HermitageHyangam-ri, Hyangsan-gun상원암上元庵
NK South HwanghaeChahyesaSowon-ri, Sinchon-gun자혜사慈惠寺
NK South HwanghaeHakrimsa×Hakrim-ri, Changyon-gun학림사鶴林寺
NK South HwanghaeKangsosaKangho-ri, Paechon-gun강서사江西寺
NK South HwanghaePaeyopsa×Paeyop-ri, Anak-gun패엽사貝葉寺
NK South HwanghaeSingwangsa×Singwang-ri, Haeju신광사神光寺
NK South HwanghaeWoljongsaWoljong-ri, Anak-gun월정사 月精寺
NK South HwanghaeHanging Hermitage (Changsusan)Sorim-ri, Chaeryong-gun현암縣庵
NK South HwanghaeSongwol HermitageHakrim-ri, Changyon-gun송월암松月庵
NK North HwanghaeAnhwasaKoryo-dong, Kaesong안화사安和寺 930
NK North HwanghaeHungwangsa×Sambong-ri, Kaepung-gun흥왕사興王寺
NK North HwanghaeKwanumsaPakyon-ri, Kaesong관음사觀音寺 970 and 1393
NK North HwanghaeKwijinsaSongwol-ri, Sohung-gun귀진사歸眞寺
NK North HwanghaePulilsa×Sonjok-ri, Changpung-gun관음사佛日寺
NK North HwanghaeRyongtongsa*Ryonghung-dong, Kaesong령통사靈通寺 1027
NK North HwanghaeYontan SimwonsaYontan심원사心源寺 *
NK North HwanghaeSongbulsaJongbang-ri, Sariwon성불사成佛寺 898
NK North HwanghaeTaehungsaPakyon-ri, Kaesong대흥사大興寺
NK KangwonChangansa×Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun장안사長安寺
NK KangwonChongyangsaNaegang-ri, Kumgang-gun정양사正陽寺
NK KangwonAnbyon PohyonsaRyongsin-ri, Anbyon-gun보현사普賢寺
NK KangwonMyongjoksaYongsam-ri, Wonsan명적사明寂寺
NK KangwonPyohunsaNaegang-ri, Kumgang-gun표훈사表訓寺 670
NK KangwonRyongchusaMihyon-ri, Anbyon-gun령추사靈鷲寺
NK KangwonSingyesa*Onjong-ri, Kosong-gun신계사神溪寺 519
NK KangwonSogwangsa×Solbong-ri, Kosan-gun석왕사釋王寺 1386
NK KangwonYujomsa×Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun유점사楡岾寺 550 circa and 1168
NK KangwonMahayon Hermitage×Naegang-ri, Kumgang-gun마하연摩訶衍
NK KangwonPodok HermitageNaegang-ri, Kumgang-gun보덕암普德庵
NK KangwonPomun HermitageSolbong-ri, Kosan-gun보덕암普德庵
NK KangwonPulji HermitageNaegang-ri, Kumgang-gun불지암佛地庵
NK South HamgyongAnbulsaTonghung-ri, Kumya-gun안불사安佛寺
NK South HamgyongChonggwangsa×Wonsa-ri, Riwon-gun정광사定光寺
NK South HamgyongKwangjesaChuksang-ri, Pukchong-gun광제사光濟寺
NK South HamgyongKwijusa×Kumsil-dong, Hamhung귀주사歸州寺
NK South HamgyongRyangchonsaNakchon-ri, Kowon-gun량천사梁泉寺
NK South HamgyongRyonghungsaPonghung-ri, Yonggwang-gun룡흥사龍興寺 1048
NK South HamgyongTongdoksaTuyon-ri, Tanchon-gun동덕사東德寺
NK South HamgyongHungbok HermitageSudong-ri, Hamhung흥복암興復庵
NK South HamgyongPulji HermitagePonghung-ri, Yonggwang-gun불지암佛地庵
NK North HamgyongKaesimsaPochon-ri, Myongchon-gun개심사開心寺 826 and 1377
NK North HamgyongHwasong SsanggyesaPuam-ri, Hwasong-gun쌍계사雙磎寺
NK ChagangWŏnmyŏngsaRyujung-ri, Huich'ŏn원명사圓明寺
NK ChagangMansu HermitageChangp'yong-ri, Huich'ŏn만수암萬壽庵
NK RyanggangChunghŭngsaKwanp'yŏng-ri, Samsu-gun중흥사重興寺

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cerny, Branko (4 October 2011). "Temple stay: 48 hours at Sudeoksa Temple". CNN Travel. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  2. ↑ Grayson, James Huntley (2002). Korea: a religious history. Psychology Press. p. 193. ISBN 978-0-7007-1605-0.
  3. ↑ "San shin – The Mountain god (산신)". Dale's Korean Temple Adventures. 17 December 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "seounsa".
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