Spring 2024 - Cultural Post 2

[Henry Mitchell]

              Buddhism emerged in Korean during the fourth century CE after arriving from

China. Buddhism itself originated centuries earlier in the Indian subcontinent. Buddhism quickly spread in Korea and was the state religion of all three kingdoms of the Three Kingdoms Period. Goguryeo adopted Buddhism in 372 CE, Silla adopted Buddhism in 528 CE, and Baekje adopted Buddhism in 552 CE. Buddhism remained a state religion during the unified Goryeo period (918 - 1392 CE).

Haedon Yonggungsa Temple, Busan, SK

Buddhism was heavily repressed during by the Neo-Confucianist Joseon dynasty (1392 – 1897 CE). However, early repressive policies were repealed following the crucial role Buddhist monk guerilla units played during the Japanese invasions of Korea of the 16^th century. Buddhism regained social acceptance. However, it did not reclaim its prominent position from centuries prior.

Boseoksa Temple, SK

Buddhism’s position in Korean society was further strengthened during the Japanese colonial period and following World War II. In 2005, a South Korean government survey revealed that a quarter of the country identified as Buddhist. A much larger portion of the population however is believed to adhere to Buddhist teachings and tradition due to Buddhism’s important historical role in Korean society.

There are multiple Buddhist temples throughout the Korean peninsula. Many Korean temples have names than end in -sa (사, 寺), meaning monastery in Hanja. The following describes the typical layout of a Korean temple.

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 Kshitigarbha (지장, 地藏) and depictions of the Buddhist hell
9. Nahanjeon(나한전, 羅漢殿) – Hall of the Arhats
10. Sansingak(산신각, 山神閣) – a shamanic shrine dedicated to the mountain god Sansin (산신, 山神), 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

Daeungjeon

Jonggak

Korean Buddhism - Wikipedia

Buddhist temples in Korea - Wikipedia

Discover Seoul's seven most unforgettable Buddhist temples (bbc.com)

Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

[Hannah Esther Lee]

Great images! I probably won't be visiting any Buddhist temples but this post was very informative. I especially like how you provided a list of the elements that are consisted in a Korean temple. I like how you lay out all the pictures within your posts! Very nice:)