Korean Buddhist temples

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Bongeunsa Temple, Seoul

No matter where you go in Korea, you can see Buddhist temples. Many of the oldest and most famous temples are located high up in the mountains, where Buddhist monks and nuns live, meditate and study. Others are located in urban areas where they can be visited regularly by lay Buddhists. Buddhists go to temples to spend time in quiet meditation, for Dharma (study), to offer prayers and donations, to share in Sangha (community) and to celebrate important dates in the Buddhist calendar. Many temples have beautiful archtecture, statues, paintings and pagodas, some dating back more than 1000 years.

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. Today, Korean Buddhism contains several sects, the largest of which is Chogye, a Seon (Zen) order, along with others including Esoteric Buddhism, Taego, Cheontae, Chinkak, Pure Land, Won. They have the same basic teaching and practices, with slight differences in emphasis.

Buddhist drum

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.

Relics are calcified remains which are found after cremation. They are considered to be proof of advanced spiritual attainment and are therefore much revered by Buddhists. 

In the text, the names of Buddhas (enlightened beings) and Bodhisattvas (beings who have given themselves to helping all sentient beings) are in Sanskrit, a form easily recognized by more people. Sakyamuni (Sokamuni-bul) is the Historical Buddha who lived in India over 2,500 years ago. Amitabha (Amita-bul) is the Buddha of Universal Light, the Buddha of the Western Paradise. Vairocana (Pirochana-bul) is the Buddha of Cosmic Power. Maitreya (Miruk-bul) is the Future Buddha. Bhaisajya-guru (Yaksa-yorae-bul) is the Medicine Buddha, the Healer of Universal Woes. Belief in the Medicine Buddha was very popular during the Shilla Period and many statues and shrines existed at that time. Avalokitesvara (Kwanseum-posal) is the Bodhisattva of Perfect Compassion. Manjusri (Munsoo-posal) represents Perfect Wisdom. Ksitigarbha (Chijang-posal) is the Bodhisattva who looks after the suffering.

Most Korean temples have names ending in -sa (사), which means "temple."
overview of Korean Buddhism, 
UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List. In 1995, the Chongmyo Shrine, Sokkuram Grotto and Pulguksa Temple, and the Haeinsa Temple Changgyong P'ango, the Depositories for the Tripitaka Koreana Woodblocks, were chosen - the last two are Buddhist. 

Noted Features of Korean Buddhist Temples

Buddhism was first introduced to the Korean peninsula in 372 C.E. At that time, the peninsula was divided into three separate kingdoms: Koguryo, Paekche and Shilla. 
From KT site: Whatever the sect, Korean temples always have certain features in common. These things make many people feel that all temples are the same but this is a false impression. Site, period and purpose all create great differences, as do the founding legends which often pinpoint the orientation of that particular temple. By giving a title to each temple we have tried to highlight its special aspect. Here are some of the things that temples have in common: 

Painted roof timbers on a Korean Temple

Temples are laid out according to the principles of geomancy (see Pusoksa) 

and their arrangement represents the Buddhist paradise. Leading up to the main compound, almost all temples have a winding path which often takes you over a bridge over a stream (see T'ongdosa) and then goes on to the One-Pillar Gate (see Pomosa) where the temple compound begins. In many temples this path will pass stele, huge blocks of polished stone which tell the history of the temple or, if you see rows of Chinese characters in threes, the names of the donors, sometimes on the backs of giant turtles. There may also be pudo, large bulbous stones with or without hats”which house the remains of great monks. Often here, too, the information board is located.

Next comes the second gate or Four Guardians' Gate, which in larger temples is a separate structure. If the temple you are visiting is small, then the two gate gods, warding off evil, are painted on the main doors. They represent the power of wisdom over ignorance. Next comes the Gate of Non-Duality. Placed in a central position, slightly elevated and on the central axis of the compound is the Main Hall where ceremonies are carried out. In front of the Main Hall, depending on the period the temple was built in, there will be one or two pagodas and one or two stone lamps. Other pagodas are located in different, not specific locations within the compound. Often there are other little shrines nearby dedicated to different Bodhisattvas or Buddhas. 
Sometimes you will find two stone posts. These are supports for the giant paintings which are displayed for special events to make a huge outdoor shrine. Off in one corner there will be the shrine to the indigenous gods (see Shinhungsa Temple). 
Near the Main Hall the bhikkus'/bhikkunis' (monks'/nuns') college and library are often found. Living quarters for the residents are also nearby. Off to one side will be the large kitchen and eating hall where the members of the community as well as visitors are fed. The meditation center is usually placed quite far from the main living areas. It can vary   from a building which can accommodate 50 to one for ten meditators at any one time (see Temple Life). Many larger temples have smaller temples or hermitages in the surrounding hills.  
These are sometimes large, accommodating up to 50 residents, or they may be occupied by a single person. On the 8th day of the 4th lunar month (usually in May), Buddhists celebrate their main event of the year, Buddha's birthday. All the temples are colorfully decorated with hundreds of lotus lanterns. 

Need to edit this, copied from jogye site:  Most temples feature at least one Main Buddha Hall and a pagoda, although layouts vary according to the environment, history, and prominence, ranging from the small and snug to large-scale compounds. At most temples, one has to pass through several gates to reach the Main Buddha Hall, and each of these gates reflects Buddhist teachings. The first gate at the entrance to the temple compound is the “One Pillar Gate” (“Iljumun”: built with only two posts, which appear as one from the side), representing the elimination of delusions and unity of mind necessary for entering the Pure Land of a temple. Sometimes there is a second Vajra Guardian Gate (“Geumgangyeoksamun”) for protection of the temple and/or a Gate of the Celestial Guardians of the Four Directions (“Sacheonwangmun”) to protect the Dharma. Many temples feature statues of the Vajra or Celestial guardians carved from wood. The third gate usually is the Gate of Nonduality (“Purimun”), representing the Buddhist truth of the nonduality of everything. And sometimes there is a fourth Gate of Liberation (“Haetalmun”), representing the liberation that can be achieved by following the teachings of the Buddha. 
Usually, there is a pagoda in front of the Main Buddha Hall. Originally a small stupa in India, this architectural work underwent transformation into a pagoda in China on the way to Korea. The pagoda, usually located in the center of the compound, houses a relic of the Buddha, sutras, or other important documents and religious artifacts, and it represents the Buddha and the teachings. A variety of building materials are used, ranging from wood to granite, marble and other stone, as well as mud. Though originally based on the Chinese model, Korean pagodas became distinctive in many ways as they developed over the centuries. 
There may be several other halls in the central compound in each direction; each one is named after the Buddha who is enshrined within. The Hall of the Great Hero (”Daeungjeon”) is dedicated to the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. The Hall of Great Tranquility and Light (“Daejeokgwangjeon”) enshrines the Cosmic Buddha Vairocana, and the Hall of Paradise (“Kungnakjeon”) is dedicated to the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light, the Buddha of the Western Paradise, Amitabha.

More to edit in:  Most temples feature at least one Main Buddha Hall and a pagoda, although layouts vary according to the environment, history, and prominence, ranging from the small and snug to large-scale compounds. 
At most temples, one has to pass through several gates to reach the Main Buddha Hall, and each of these gates reflects Buddhist teachings. The first gate at the entrance to the temple compound is the “One Pillar Gate” (“Iljumun”: built with only two posts, which appear as one from the side), representing the elimination of delusions and unity of mind necessary for entering the Pure Land of a temple. Sometimes there is a second Vajra Guardian Gate (“Geumgangyeoksamun”) for protection of the temple and/or a Gate of the Celestial Guardians of the Four Directions (“Sacheonwangmun”) to protect the Dharma. Many temples feature statues of the Vajra or Celestial guardians carved from wood. The third gate usually is the Gate of Nonduality (“Purimun”), representing the Buddhist truth of the nonduality of everything. And sometimes there is a fourth Gate of Liberation (“Haetalmun”), representing the liberation that can be achieved by following the teachings of the Buddha. 
Usually, there is a pagoda in front of the Main Buddha Hall. Originally a small stupa in India, this architectural work underwent transformation into a pagoda in China on the way to Korea. The pagoda, usually located in the center of the compound, houses a relic of the Buddha, sutras, or other important documents and religious artifacts, and it represents the Buddha and the teachings. A variety of building materials are used, ranging from wood to granite, marble and other stone, as well as mud. Though originally based on the Chinese model, Korean pagodas became distinctive in many ways as they developed over the centuries. 

There may be several other halls in the central compound in each direction; each one is named after the Buddha who is enshrined within. The Hall of the Great Hero (”Daeungjeon”) is dedicated to the historical Buddha Sakyamuni. The Hall of Great Tranquility and Light (“Daejeokgwangjeon”) enshrines the Cosmic Buddha Vairocana, and the Hall of Paradise (“Kungnakjeon”) is dedicated to the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light, the Buddha of the Western Paradise, Amitabha.

Life and activities at Korean Buddhist Temples

edit: At 3 am every day, the elegant, resonant sounds of the wooden moktak followed by the bell, drum, wooden fish and gong call the monastics to rise and begin the day. The monks gather in the Main Buddha Hall for the morning chanting and then meditate until the morning meal offering at 6 am. After the meal, the monks work as a team to clean the temple grounds. Monks then proceed to their respective practice halls for meditation or sutra study. At 10:30 am they return to the Main Buddha Hall for the traditional offering and then after their meal and some free time they resume their activities. At about 5 pm, depending on the season, they have the evening meal followed by chanting. And then after another session of meditation or study, they retire at about 9 pm.

edit: Korean Buddhism celebrates four major holidays by the lunar calendar, with Buddha’s Birthday on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month being the biggest celebration. On this day each year, followers go to a temple, participate in the Bathing the Buddha ceremony, and hang a lantern. Below the lantern they can write the name of someone or their hopes and wishes. 
Pre-Buddha’s Birthday cultural celebrations began as long ago as the Silla and United Silla dynasties (57 B.C.E.- 935 C.E.). Now, usually on the Sunday before Buddha’s Birthday, a huge cultural festival is held in downtown Seoul with a number of events taking place, including a massive lantern parade at night through the city. It has become a highly popular festival with visiting foreigners as well as with locals. 
Events include exhibitions, street performances and a massive Dharma meeting. The people at the meeting then form the parade, which winds its way down a main thoroughfare in Seoul. The dazzling display of lanterns and floats, traditional and modern bands, dance and song, and a grand finale at the end of the parade route make for a spectacular event. But why are the lanterns so important? 

edit: These lotus lanterns represent the Buddhist Dharma and our sincere wish for attainment. One of the sutras tells the story of a poor old woman, Nanda, who wanted to offer a lamp when she heard that the Buddha was coming to visit, and so she sold her hair for the money to buy a tiny little oil lamp. After the festivities were over, all the lanterns were put out but hers, which refused to go out. A simple lamp from the sincerity of the heart brightens the entire world. In Korea there were many kinds of lanterns when Buddhist culture flourished. Many of these were lost following the repression of Buddhism during the Joseon Dynasty (1395-1910), and only the lotus lanterns remained. Since 1996, however, the Buddha’s Birthday Festival Committee has promoted the revival of traditional lanterns and now each year there are exhibitions, lantern making events, and other cultural activities.

edit in from KT: A Buddhist temple is a place where men or women choose to live and practice the teachings of Sakyamuni Buddha intensively. In Korea, men and women live in separate temples and they pursue an identical way of life.
Anyone who wishes to be ordained should have completed high school and be normally healthy, in order to endure the rigors of the training. Usually a man or a woman takes ordination in order to attain enlightenment and to help living beings. Communal living, meditation, religious exercises, text studies and listening to the words of great monks and nuns all form part of the life.
At first, the candidate becomes an aspirant. On entering the monastery, he/she cuts off relations with the outside world for a time, symbolized by shaving hair and beard and wearing gray or brown clothes. (Women do not shave their heads at first; this being a trial period, they would have difficulty returning home, if they so chose.) Traditionally, shaving the hair is a renunciation of rank, as well as a way to reduce vanity and to be more hygienic. During this period, the aspirant studies basic sutras and chants, does chores about the monastery and cares for the senior monks. 
The aspirant is given ordination and takes the first set of basic training rules: the ten precepts. He/she trains himself/herself not to kill anything, not to take anything that is not given, to be celibate, not to lie, not to take intoxicants, not to adorn himself/herself, nor  delight in singing, dancing or shows, and not to seek comfort or wealth. After three to five years, if the teacher sees fit, the novice is sent for the second ordination and becomes a bhikku (bhikkuni for women) or a full member of the monastic community.
Every day of every year begins at 3 a.m. One monk rises a little earlier and puts on ceremonial robes. Slowly, he/she walks to each part of the monastery informing everyone that it is time to rise. The clear sound of the mokt'ak (a hollowed, wooden, bell-shaped percussion instrument) breaks the stillness of thepre-dawn hours and is accompanied by chanting. After a short time, the large bell, followed by the drum, gong and wooden fish (see Chogyesa), are sounded and all monks go to the Main Hall. 
After communal chanting, the students go to the study hall, the meditating monks go to the meditation hall, and the working monks go to their place of duty. At about 6 a.m., breakfast is eaten. Chanting and offering rice, thus remembering the Buddha's custom of eating one main meal, takes place at 10:30 a.m.
After lunch and a short free period, all return to their respective activities until suppertime at about 5 p.m. followed by evening chanting. Quiet study or meditation follows. Bedtime is usually at about 9 p.m.
Meditation is very much stressed in Korean Buddhism. Practitioners have few possessions and they live unattached like clouds in the sky or a flowing mountain stream. Retreats last for three months in the summer and three months in the winter. There are four meditation sessions a day, pre-dawn, morning, afternoon and evening, of 50 minutes sitting and ten minutes walking; the sessions are interspersed with silent meals. 

History and Special Features of Temples

Edit the following:  With such a long history, Korean Buddhism is filled with innumerable stories about the origin of these temples, some of which are almost mystical. Representative of these are three temples for Avalokitesvara devotional practices and five temples that enshrine relics of Sakyamuni Buddha in place of an image. The three temples dedicated to Avalokitesvara, who saves sentient beings from the sea of suffering, are invariably located near the ocean in Mahayana countries. In India, along the southern coast is Mt. Potalaka where Avalokitesvara resides; in China, it is on Pota Island off the east coast of China. and in landlocked Tibet, it is Lhasa, which is located along the Kichu river which flows to the ocean. In Korea, the three holy sites dedicated to Avalokitesvara are Hongnyeonam Hermitage at Naksansa Temple on the East Coast; Bomunsa Temple on Mt. Nakgasan on the West Coast island of Ganghwado; and Boriam Hermitage on Mt. Geumsan along the South Coast. 
Of the five relic temples, four are located in Gangwon Province – Sangwonsa Temple on Mt. Odaesan; Bongjongam Hermitage at Mt. Sorak; Beopheungsa Temple on Mt. Sajasan; and Jeongamsa Temple on Mt. Daebaeksan. The fifth relic temple is Tongdosa Temple, the first of three Jewel temples in Korean Buddhism, representing the Buddha. 
For centuries, Korea has had three Jewel Temples: Tongdosa Temple represents the Buddha; Haeinsa Temple represents the Dharma or Teachings; and Songgwangsa Temple represents the Sangha or community. Representative of the “Palace of the Jewel of Nirvana” temples is Tongdosa Temple, located in Yangsan outside of Busan. The Silla Precepts Master Jajang traveled to China and returned with the first relics of the Buddha, and enshrined them in a stupa at Tongdosa. Haeinsa Temple represents the Dharma with its repository of the more than 81,258 Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks, designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by Unesco. And third, Songgwangsa Temple was designated the Sangha Jewel Temple for its outstanding history of monastic practice, which includes the fostering of 16 National Monks during the Goryeo Dynasty. 
Full monastic training temples are those which include three major facilities: a meditation center, a traditional sutra center, and a vinaya or precepts center. The Jogye Order has five such full monastic training centers: Haein at Haeinsa Temple; Jogye at Songgwangsa Temple; Yeongchuk at Tongdosa Temple; Deoksung at Sudeoksa Temple; and Gobul at Baekyangsa Temple.
In every Buddhist temple you are a very welcome guest. In order to maintain the harmony and make you feel more comfortable, here are a few things that you can do: Please respect it when someone tells you not to go somewhere or not to do something. Please do not linger in the doorway of a building. Either take a quick look inside and leave or go straight in. Always enter by the side door. 

Famous Temples

Bulguksa

South Korea

These famous temples are grouped by province.

• Seoul
  • Gyeingguksa
  • Gwanneumsa
  • Doseonsa
  • Bongeunsa
  • Bongwonsa
  • Yeonghwasa
  • Jogyesa
  • Jingwansa
• Gyeonggi
  • Bomunsa
  • Jeondeungsa
  • Bongnyeongsa
  • Bongseonsa
  • Silleuksa
  • Yeonjuam
  • Yongjusa
  • Jajaeam
• Gangwon
  • Guryingsa
  • Naksansa
  • Deungmyeong-nakgasa
  • Samhwasa
  • Sinheungsa
  • Oseam
  • Woljeongsa
  • Cheongpyeongsa
• North Chungcheong
  • Beopjusa
  • Guinsa
• South Chungcheong
  • Magoksa
  • Sudeoksa
• North Gyeongsang
  • Donghwasa
  • Pagyesa
  • Bogyeongsa
  • Buseoksa
  • Bulguksa (including Seokguram)
  • Hwangnyongsa
  • Jikjisa
• South Gyeongsang
  • Ssanggyesa
  • Tongdosa (one of the Three Jewel Temples)
  • Haeinsa (one of the Three Jewel Temples)
• Busan
  • Beomeosa
• North Jeolla
  • Geumsansa
  • Miruk-sa
  • Naesosa
  • Seonunsa
  • Silsangsa
• South Jeolla
  • Daedunsa
  • Mihwangsa
  • Baengnyeonsa
  • Baegyangsa
  • Songgwangsa (one of the Three Jewel Temples)
  • Hwaeomsa
• Jeju Island
  • Gwaneumsa
  • Yakcheonsa

North Korea

It is reported, that many churches and temples have been taken over by the state. Once the government controls these buildings, they are used for secular use. Only a few temples are still in use, but they are considered national treasures. There are also some temples in remote areas. All in all, there are 300 temples [1], but only in a few are religious services permitted.

• Pohyonsa at Myohyang-san keeps a translation of the Tripitaka Koreana
• Sangwon Hermitage, Kumgang Hermitage, Habiro Hermitage at Myohyang-san
• Kwangpo temple in Pyongyang
• Kaesong temple
• Kaesim temple at Chilbo-san
• Sungnyong temple and Sungin temple in Pyongyang
• Shingyesa in the Kŭmgangsan area
• Songbulsa
• Shimwonsa
• Podoksa
• Wŏljŏngsa on Kuwol-san
• Japok temple
• Ankuk temple
• Chunghŭng temple
• Hongbok temple

See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• Three Jewel Temples of Korea

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• Hanʼguk Kwanʼgwang Kongsa. 1996. Exploring Korean Buddhist temples. Seoul, Korea: Korea National Tourism Organization. OCLC: 53022956
• International Dharma Instructors Association. 1995. Guide to Korean Buddhist temples. Seoul, Korea: Jogye Order Pub. ISBN 9788986821130
• Wilkinson, Philip, and Steve Teague. 2003. Buddhism. DK eyewitness guides. New York: DK Pub. ISBN 9780789498342

External Links

• Buddhist Temples - Korea. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
• Korean Buddhism. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
• Korean Buddhism. Retrieved August 6, 2007.
• Buddhapia: internet buddhism information center. Retrieved August 17, 2007.

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