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), which means "temple".
Contents |
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.
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.
Famous Temples
South Korea
These famous temples are grouped by province.
Seoul
Gyeonggi
-
- Bomunsa
- Jeondeungsa
- Bongnyeongsa
- Bongseonsa
- Silleuksa
- Yeonjuam
- Yongjusa
- Jajaeam
Gangwon
-
- Guryingsa
- Naksansa
- Deungmyeong-nakgasa
- Samhwasa
- Sinheungsa
- Oseam
- Woljeongsa
- Cheongpyeongsa
North Chungcheong
South Chungcheong
North Gyeongsang
-
- Donghwasa
- Pagyesa
- Bogyeongsa
- Bongjeongsa
- Buseoksa
- Bulguksa (including Seokguram)
- Golgulsa
- Girimsa
- Baekryulsa in Gyeongju
- Hwangnyongsa
- Jikjisa
South Gyeongsang
-
- Ssanggyesa
- Tongdosa (one of the Three Jewel Temples)
- Haeinsa (one of the Three Jewel Temples)
- Busan
North Jeolla
South Jeolla
-
- Daedunsa
- Mihwangsa
- Baengnyeonsa
- Baegyangsa
- Songgwangsa (one of the Three Jewel Temples)
- Hwaeomsa
- Unjusa (National Treasure #312)
- Geumtapsa
Jeju Island
-
- Gwaneumsa
- Yakcheonsa
- Beophwasa
- Seondeoksa
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 purposes. 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. These famous temples are grouped by province. [2]
Pyongyang
| Chosŏn'gŭl | Hancha | |
|---|---|---|
| Chŏngrŭngsa | 정릉사 | 定陵寺 |
| Kwangbŏpsa | 광법사 | 廣法寺 |
| Ryonghwasa | 룡화사 | 龍華寺 |
| Yŏngmyŏngsa† | 영명사 | 永明寺 |
| Pŏbun Hermitage | 법운암 | 法雲庵 |
South Pyongan
| Location | Chosŏn'gŭl | Hancha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anguksa | P'yŏngsŏng-si | 안국사 | 安國寺 |
| Chŏngjinsa | Sŏngch'ŏn-gun | 정진사 | 淨進寺 |
| Pŏphŭngsa | P'yŏngwŏn-gun | 법흥사 | 法興寺 |
North Pyongan
| Location | Chosŏn'gŭl | Hancha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch'ŏnjusa | Yŏngbyŏn-gun | 천주사 | 天柱寺 |
| Kaewŏnsa | Chŏngju-si | 개원사 | 開元寺 |
| Kŭmgwangsa | Ŭiju-gun | 금광사 | 金光寺 |
| Mannyŏnsa | Kusŏng-si | 만년사 | 萬年寺 |
| Pohyŏnsa | Hyangsan-gun | 보현사 | 普賢寺 |
| Powŏlsa | Hyangsan-gun | 보월사 | 寶月寺 |
| Pakch'ŏn Simwŏnsa | Pakch'ŏn-gun | 심원사 | 深源寺 |
| Sŏunsa | Yŏngbyŏn-gun | 서운사 | 棲雲寺 |
| Yanghwasa | T'aech'ŏn-gun | 양화사 | 陽和寺 |
| Ch'uksŏng Hall | Hyangsan-gun | 축성전 | 祝聖殿 |
| Habiro Hermitage | Hyangsan-gun | 하비로암 | 下毘盧庵 |
| Hwajang Hermitage | Hyangsan-gun | 화장암 | 華藏庵 |
| Mansu Hermitage | Hyangsan-gun | 만수암 | 萬壽庵 |
| Nŭngin Hermitage | Hyangsan-gun | 능인암 | 能仁唵 |
| Puryŏng Hermitage | Hyangsan-gun | 불영대 | 佛影臺 |
| Sangwŏn Hermitage | Hyangsan-gun | 상원암 | 上元庵 |
South Hwanghae
| Location | Chosŏn'gŭl | Hancha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chahyesa | Sinch'ŏn-gun | 자혜사 | 慈惠寺 |
| Kangsŏsa | Paech'ŏn-gun | 강서사 | 江西寺 |
| Myoŭmsa† | Chaeryŏng-gun | 묘음사 | 妙音寺 |
| P'aeyŏpsa† | Sinch'ŏn-gun | 패엽사 | 貝葉寺 |
| Singwangsa | Haeju-si | 신광사 | 神光寺 |
| Wŏljŏngsa | Anak-gun | 월정사 | 月精寺 |
| Wŏnjŏngsa | Ŭnryul-gun | 원정사 | 圓井寺 |
North Hwanghae
| Location | Chosŏn'gŭl | Hancha | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anhwasa | Kaesŏng-si | 안화사 | 絃化寺 |
| Hwajangsa† | Kaesŏng-si | 화장사 | 華藏寺 |
| Kwanŭmsa | Kaesŏng-si | 관음사 | 觀音寺 |
| Kwijinsa | Sŏhŭng-gun | 귀진사 | 歸眞寺 |
| Ryŏngt'ongsa | Kaesŏng-si | 령통사 | 靈通寺 |
| Yŏnt'an Simwŏnsa | Yŏnt'an-gun | 심원사 | 心源寺 |
| Sŏngbulsa | Sariwŏn-si | 성불사 | 成佛寺 |
| Taehŭngsa | Kaesŏng-si | 대흥사 | 大興寺 |
| Wŏnmyŏngsa | Kŭmch'ŏn-gun]] | 원명사 | 圓明寺 |
Kangwon
- Chŏngyangsa (정양사/正陽寺)
- Anbyŏn Pohyŏnsa (보현사/普賢寺)
- P'yohunsa (표훈사/表訓寺)
- Singyesa (신계사/神渓寺)
- Sŏgwangsa (석왕사/釋王寺)
- Podŏk Hermitage (보덕암/普德庵)
- Pulji Hermitage (불지암/佛知庵)
South Hamgyong
- Anbulsa (안불사/安佛寺)
- Chŏnggwangsa (정광사/定光寺)
- Kwangjesa (광제사/光濟寺)
- Ryangch'ŏnsa (량천사/梁泉寺)
- Ryonghŭngsa (룡흥사/龍興寺)
- Tongdŏksa (동덕사/東德寺)
North Hamgyong
See also
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