Introduction to Korean Buddhist Temples

2012 Lecture Series - Lecture 1

Outline

Architecture and WorldviewLocation, Design, Layout

Passing Through the GatesPrimary Halls

Secondary HallsOther Buildings

PagodasInside the Halls

Art and SymbolismNoteworthy Temples

Architecture and Worldview

• Expression of worldview from culture

• Temples (Complexes) about more than just buildings or visual experience

• Create atmosphere conducive to meditation

• Cannot use Western perspective

Location and Design of Temple Sites

• Site is based on principles of geomancy

• Nearly all temples built on auspicious sites

• Ideal site is mountain basin near water

• Buildings are arranged so they are approached in order

Temple Layout

• Use of wood constrained building size

• Complex of multiple smaller buildings

• Layout is critical consideration

• Architectural significance according to layout, rather than specific building

Approaching the Temple

• Budo

• Iljumun

• Cheonwangmun

• Burimun

Budo - Memorial Stupa

• First structure in temple complex

• Stone structure

• Enshrines ‘sariras’ (relics) of eminent monks

• Place to pay homage and arouse faith

Passing Through the Gates

• Series of gates leading up to main Buddha Hall

• Iljumun, Cheonwangmun, Burimun

• Provide spiritual preparation

Iljumun

• “One Pillar”

• Front gate

• Inscription names temple and mountain

• Symbolic of beginning journey towards one mind, first steps into Pure Land

Cheonwangmun

• “Four Guardians’ Gate”

• 2nd gate

• 2 guardians on each side

• Ferocious faces scare away evil spirits

• Guardians defend temple from all four directions

Burimun

• “Gate of Non-Duality”

• 3rd gate at larger temples

• Larger than Iljumun

• Symbolizes the notion that Pure Land and Saha World are one

Primary Buddha Halls

• Daeung-jeon

• Daejeokgwang-jeon

• Muryangsu-jeon

Daeung-jeon

• “Great Hero”

• Main Buddha Hall

• Holds Shakyamuni Statue

• 3 Platforms

- Main Platform

- Guardian Platform

- Memorial Platform

• Courtyard/Pagoda

Daejeokgwang-jeon

• Hall of “Silence and Light”

• Enshrines Vairocana Buddha (Dharma Body)

• Triad includes Sakyamuni and Rocana Buddha

• Represents Lotus Treasury World

Muryangsu-jeon

• “Hall of Paradise”

• Dedicated to Amitabha

• 2nd to Daeungjeon

• Triad includes Gwaneum-bosal and Daeseji-bosal

• Images face east so worshippers can bow towards Western Paradise

Secondary Halls

• Gwaneum-jeon

• Myeongbu-jeon

• Mireuk-jeon

• Yaksa-jeon

• Nahan-jeon

• Palsang-jeon

Gwaneum-jeon

• Devoted to Avalokitesvara

• Also called Wontong-jeon if entire temple is dedicated to worship

Myeongbu-jeon

• “Dark Place”

• Judgement Hall

• Enshrines Jijang-bosal

• Faces Main Hall from right side

Mireuk-jeon

• Devoted to Maitreya - the future Buddha of Loving Kindness

Yaksa-jeon

• Enshrines Bhaisajyaguru

• Medicine Buddha

• Believers visit when sick

• Customarily placed in east

Nahan-jeon

• Dedicated to the disciples of Buddha

• Shakyamuni sits on altar

• Surrounded by 500 disciples

• Large guardian in entranceway

Palsang-jeon

• “Eight Scenes from the Life of the Buddha”

• Also known as Yeongsan-jeon

Other Buildings

• Yosachae

• Gangdang

• Seungdang

• Josadang

• Samseonggak

• Jonggak and Goru

Yosachae

• Monks’ living quarters

• Space for sleeping, eating, and other activities

• Usually includes meditation space

• Often flank front courtyard

• Residential architecture

Gangdang

• Lecture Hall

• Only found in larger temples

• Located near Main Buddha Hall

• Also used for ceremonies and services

Seungdang

• “Monks’ Hall”

• Meditation and Practice

• Also called Seonbang or Seonwon

Josadang

• Hall of Predecessors

• Portraits of founder and deceased senior monks

• Combination of Korea’s indigenous ancestral worship and Seon Buddhism

Samseonggak

• Shrine of the 3 Deities

• Not a part of Buddhism

• Small Buildings

• Dedicated to Indigenous Shamanistic figures

Jonggak and Goru

• Jonggak (Bell Tower)

- Dharma Drum

- Wooden Fish

- Cloud-Shaped Gong

- Brahma Bell

• Goru - pavilion that houses drum - faces Jonggak

Pagodas

• Protect and keep safe Sarira

• Usually divided into 3 sections

• Body usually has odd number of stories

• Made of stone

Inside the Halls

• Art and Symbols

• Images of Buddha

• Dancheong

Art and Symbols

• Buldan/Sumidan

• Main Halls symbolizes Lotus Sutra Dharma Assembly on Vulture Peak

• Raining Flowers

• Datjip “Separate House”

Images of Buddha

• Categorized according to mudra, attributes, and shape of crown

• Seated posture differs according to identity

• Distinguish images by hand gesture

• Light of Truth

Dancheong

• “Red and Blue”

• Dates back to 4th century

• Elaborated in Joseon

• Use increased during rebuilds

• Lotus Flowers & Fish

Noteworthy Temples

• As of 2000 892 traditional temples

• Jogye Order = 731

• Taego Order = 97

• Bulguk-sa

• Haein-sa

• Bongjeong-sa

• Seonam-sa

• Unju-sa

• Yongju-sa

Learn More!Gyun, Heo. Korean Temple Motifs, Dolbegae Publishers, 2005.

Kim, Sung-woo. Buddhist Architecture of Korea, Hollym, 2007.

June 2012

State and Sangha:

Buddhist Culture and Political Thought in Korea