Jeondeungsa
| Jeondeungsa | |
|---|---|
| 전등사 | |
 View of Jeondeungsa Temple in South Korea | |
  Jeondeungsa Location within South Korea | |
| Information | |
| Denomination | Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism |
| Location | |
| Address | 37-41, Jeondeungsa-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon |
| Country | South Korea |
Jeondeungsa is a Buddhist temple located in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, South Korea.
History
Korea’s Oldest Extant Temple
Jeondeungsa (Korean: 전등사, Chinese: 傳燈寺, Pronounced “Jeon-deung-sa”) was established in 381. As Buddhism was first introduced to Korea in 372, Jeondeungsa is considered the oldest temple established in the earliest era of Korean Buddhism. Jeondeungsa was originally named Jinjongsa and was founded by Ado Hwasang. Ado established Jinjongsa while he was staying on Ganghwado Island before moving to the Silla Kingdom.
As Jeondeungsa is located inside Samnangseong Fortress on Mt. Jeongjoksan (Historic Site No. 130), said to have been built by the three sons of Dangun Wanggeom, Korea’s founding father, more weight can be given to the credibility of the foundation story of Jeondeungsa described above. The name Jeondeungsa was first used during the reign of Goryeo’s King Chungnyeol when Jeonghwa Gungju, the king’s Korean wife, offered a jade oil lamp to the Buddha of Jeondeungsa.
The island of Ganghwado is considered a microcosm of Korean history. Dolmen burial sites from the prehistoric era dot the island, and the biggest dolmen in Korea is also on Ganghwado. On top of Mt. Manisan is a historic site where Dangun Wanggeom, the legendary founder of Korea, used to offer memorial rites to the heavens. The site where the Tripitaka Koreana printing woodblocks were first carved and where Koreans first resisted the Mongol invasion are also found on the island. The state history archive on Mt. Jeongjoksan, located behind Jeondeungsa, was just one of the places the Joseon wangjo sillok (Annals of the Joseon Dynasty) was stored. The first battle of Korea against Western imperialism was fought here against French forces in 1866, and traces of the battle are found at many places on the island.
Witnessing History from the Ancient to the Modern Era
Jeondeungsa is one of the major attractions on the island. Daeung-bojeon (Treasure No. 178), the Main Buddha Hall was built during the reign of King Gwanghaegun and is renowned for its legend about the carpenter who built it and the naked women he carved into the roof supports. The building is the most elaborate and luxurious of all the structures built during the mid-Joseon era and showcases the essence of architectural craftsmanship. Many Korean soldiers who fought here against the French in 1866 inscribed their names on the wooden pillars and walls of the Main Buddha Hall. The inscriptions remind us of their fervent prayers to be unharmed in battle. In addition, Jeondeungsa has an unusual temple bell (Treasure No. 393) that was cast in China’s Northern Song Dynasty. When the Japanese colonial government confiscated Jeondeungsa’s original bronze bell to melt it down for metal, some monks went to the ordnance depot in Incheon to bring it back. When the monks couldn’t find the bell, they brought back this Chinese bell instead, which has all the standard characteristics of Chinese bells.
Cultural Properties
- Treasure No. 178 Daewungjeon Hall (Main Buddha Hall)
- Treasure No. 179 Yaksajeon Hall (Medicine Buddha Hall)
- Treasure No. 393 Beom Jong (Great Dharma Bell)
- Treasure No. 785 Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Triad
- Treasure No. 786 Wooden Ksitigarbha Triad, Ten Underworld Kings and other attendant No. 130 Castle Samrangseong
- Incheon Tangible Cultural Property No. 43 Hyunwangtaeng (Painting of Underworld judge, King Hyun, and his followers) in the Medicine Buddha Hall
- Incheon Tangible Cultural Property No. 44 Hanging Scroll behind the Buddha in the Medicine Buddha Hall
- Incheon Tangible Cultural Property No. 45 Printing Woodblocks of Lotus Sutra Printing Woodblocks
- Incheon Tangible Cultural Property No. 46 Bronze Water Tank
- Incheon Tangible Cultural Property No. 47 Karma Mirror
- Incheon Tangible Cultural Property No. 48 Front Altar of the Main Buddha Hall
- Incheon Cultural Property No. 7 Daejoru (Tower-style building at the entrance of the temple)
- Incheon Cultural Property No. 21 Hanging Scroll behind the Buddha in the Main Buddha Hall
- Incheon Cultural Property No. 22 Amitabha Platform Painting in the Lecture Hall Gangseol Monuments of Incheon No. 36 Monument for Yang Heonsoo
- Incheon Local Remain No. 11 Jeongjoksan Gagwolji (the remaining site of palace where Kings stayed temporarily)
- Incheon Local Remain No. 12 Seonwonbogakji (the remaining site of the house that stores the genealogy of Joseon Monarchs)
Templestay program
Jeondeungsa offers Templestay programs for visitors where visitors can experience Buddhist culture.[1]
