03 · Korean Temple Monasteries (Sansa) Route
Buseoksa Temple
Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, a mountain temple graced with tradition and beauty
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Planning the visit
Buseoksa Temple is stop 7 of 9 on the Korean Temple Monasteries (Sansa) Route.
The stamp is not at the site itself but inside the tourist information center at Buseoksa Temple, so check the opening hours of that building rather than the site.
Admission is charged: Adults KRW 2,000 / Teenagers KRW 1,500 / Children KRW 1,000.
The two closest stamp points are Sosuseowon, 12 km away, and Dosanseowon at 32 km. All three fit into one day.
Details
- Address
- 345, Buseoksa-ro, Buseok-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
- Stamp zone
- Inside the tourist information center at Buseoksa Temple
- Admission
- Adults KRW 2,000 / Teenagers KRW 1,500 / Children KRW 1,000
- Website
- www.pusoksa.org
- Coordinates
- 36.99739, 128.68665
What the campaign says about it
Buseoksa Temple was founded in 676 CE by Uisang Daesa of Silla. The Temple itself was built around the Muryangsujeon, a sacred place for the Mita faith of Buddhism. Buseoksa Temple, one of the “10 temples of the Hwaeom Order” established by Uisang Daesa, has led the Hwaeom Order of Korean Buddhism since ancient times, and remains an important temple to this day with the disciples of Uisang Daesa spreading his wisdom across the world. Buseoksa Temple has Muryangsujeon Hall, which is the second oldest remaining wooden building in Korea after Geungnakjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong. The Clay Seated Buddha at Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, which is enshrined on the side of the sanctum rather than the center of the room, is the largest and oldest among Buddha statues made with clay in Korea. The Stone Lantern in front of Muryangsujeon Hall at Buseoksa Temple, which is a symbol of the light and glory of Buddha, also stands out thanks to its beautiful proportions and sophisticated craftsmanship. Muryangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple is the central building of Buseoksa Temple, and it enshrines the Amitabha Buddha, symbolizing the Sukhavati (Pure Land of Amitabha). Behind Muryangsujeon Hall is a stone engraved with the word “Buseok.” The legend behind this stone appears in the Songgoseungjeon. Among the remaining wooden buildings in Korea, Muryangsujeon is one of the oldest. It is the second oldest, just behind Geungnakjeon Hall (National Treasure) of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, which makes it an extremely important resource in researching ancient temple architecture. Clay Seated Buddha at Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju This is a clay Buddha statue enshrined in Muryangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple. A clay Buddha statue has a wooden skeleton, which is then fleshed out with clay. This Buddha statue is an invaluable piece of Korean Heritage as it is the largest and oldest among the clay statues of Buddha in Korea. The halo, symbolizing the light emitted from the body of the Buddha, was made of wood at the back of the statue. Flame patterns were also added to the edges of the halo. The halos behind the head and body of Buddha were created in two partially overlapping circular shapes with intricate patterns carved inside. There are multiple traces of smaller Buddha decorations that used to hang from the halo as well. Stone Lantern in front of Muryangsujeon Hall at Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju A stone lantern from the Unified Silla period that sits in front of Muryangsujeon Hall. It is also called Gwangmyeongdeung as it symbolizes the light of Buddha. Similar stone lanterns are often found in front of important structures such as Daeungjeon Halls or pagodas. The main chamber that holds the fire is supported by a three-tiered pedestal at the bottom and covered by a roof stone with finial decorations at the top.
Quoted from the Visit Korean Heritage Campaign.
Getting there
Get off at the KTX Punggi station → Take bus no. 327 at Punggi station bus stop → Get off at Buseoksa bus stop → Walk for 5 minutes
Photographs
Photographs supplied by the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation.