Bongjeongsa
Encyclopedia
Bongjeongsa is a Korea
n Buddhist
temple on the slopes of Mount Cheondeung in Andong
city, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
. It is a subsidiary temple of Gounsa
, the head temple of the 16th branch of Jogye Order
.
At 1,650 m²/17,760 ft², Bongjeongsa is the largest temple in Andong, and is the site of the oldest wooden building, Geuknakjeon, in Korea. There are 10 buildings at the main temple and a total of 9 other buildings at Bongjeongsa's two sub temples found to the east and west of the main temple complex.
in 672 during the 12th year of King Munmu of Silla (661-681), however, an inscription found during a restoration of Geuknakjeon state that Neungin Daedeuk, a disciple of Monk Uisang, established the temple.
In 1363 the last major reconstruction took place and in 1625 and 1972, renovations were undertaken.
era. Notable for the style of pillars, most likely brought from Song China, Daeungjeon incorporates a column-head and curved bracket form.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
n Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
temple on the slopes of Mount Cheondeung in Andong
Andong
Andong is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, South Korea. It is the largest city in the northern part of the province with a population of 167,821 in October 2010. The Nakdong River flows through the city...
city, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
. It is a subsidiary temple of Gounsa
Gounsa
Gounsa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It stands in Danchon-myeon, Uiseong County, in the province of Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. The temple was built in 681 by Uisang, a leading Buddhist monk of Silla. The name means "lonely cloud"; these characters were chosen after...
, the head temple of the 16th branch of Jogye Order
Jogye Order
The Jogye Order, officially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is the representative order of traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1,200 years to Unified Silla National Master Doui, who brought Seon and the practice taught by the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng, from China about 820...
.
At 1,650 m²/17,760 ft², Bongjeongsa is the largest temple in Andong, and is the site of the oldest wooden building, Geuknakjeon, in Korea. There are 10 buildings at the main temple and a total of 9 other buildings at Bongjeongsa's two sub temples found to the east and west of the main temple complex.
Origin
Bongjeongsa is believed first established by Monk UisangUisang
Uisang was one of the most eminent early Silla Korean scholar-monks, a close friend of Wonhyo .He traveled to China, studying at Mount Zhongnan as a student of the influential Huayan master Zhiyan and as a senior colleague of Fazang , with whom he established a lifelong correspondence...
in 672 during the 12th year of King Munmu of Silla (661-681), however, an inscription found during a restoration of Geuknakjeon state that Neungin Daedeuk, a disciple of Monk Uisang, established the temple.
In 1363 the last major reconstruction took place and in 1625 and 1972, renovations were undertaken.
National Treasure #15
Built in 1363, Geukrakjeon (Nirvana Hall), from the Goryeo Dynasty era, is the oldest wooden building in Korea. Geukrakjeon was constructed with slated windows and no door. Most old temple buildings were destroyed over the years by natural disasters or acts of war. Although restored from time to time, Geukrakjeon remains an original construction.Treasure #55
Daeungjeon is the main temple hall, with stunning original murals, representing building styles of the early Joseon DynastyJoseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
era. Notable for the style of pillars, most likely brought from Song China, Daeungjeon incorporates a column-head and curved bracket form.