Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea (Designated 2018)
Writer
관리자
Posted at
2018-09-11
Sansa are Buddhist mountain monasteries located throughout Korea. Seven temples Tongdosa Temple, Buseoksa Temple, Bongjeonsa Temple, Beopjusa Temple, Magoksa Temple, Seonamsa Temple and Daeheungsa Temple - represent the unique style of Korean Buddhism, as well as maintain their traditional aspects, serving as living centers of faith and daily practice. These seven temples include many individual characteristics as well as notable features that can only be seen in Korea's monasteries.
In the past, Korean temples consisted of both flatland temple sites and mountain temple sites. However, during the Joseon Dynasty, most of the flatland temples were removed, with only the mountain monasteries retaining their original functions. Thanks to this preservation, Korea's Buddhist mountain monasteries were recognized by UNESCO. The temples are praised for their authentic value in aspects of durability, historical significance, location and setting, and purpose.
Description
Tongdosa Temple was founded in 646 during the reign of Silla Queen Seondeok. The temple's long history can be felt and seen throughout the temple grounds. One unique characteristic of this temple is that a statue of Buddha is not immediately visible when entering the temple, nor even inside Yeongsanjeon Hall; the Buddha here is placed on the eastern part of the grounds, facing West. The main hall, Daeungjeon Hall, also has no image of Buddha but does have a stupa, a type of Buddha reliquary.
Buseoksa Temple was founded in 676 during the 16th year of Silla King Munmu's reign. The temple features a staircase of 108 steps so visitors can clear their minds of any stress before entering. Reaching the top also provides one with a clear view of the area. Buseoksa Temple is home to Muryangsujeon Hall, one of the oldest wooden building in the nation. Another interesting structure at this temple is the Baeheullimgidung Pillar, which becomes narrower towards its peak.
Location
Bongjeongsa Temple: Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do / Beopjusa Temple: Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Description
Bongjeongsa Temple was built in 672 during the 12th year of Silla King Munmu's reign. The temple name comes from a myth that a phoenix, ≪bonghwang≫ in Korean, visited this place. Before entering the templegrounds, visitors must pass through Manseru Gate. The gate is small, requiring all who enter to lower their heads, as to show gesture of humbling oneself. Bongjeongsa Temple is home to many historical treasures, including National Treasure No. 15 Geungnakjeon Hall, known to be the oldest wooden building in Korea, and National Treasure No. 311 Daeungjeon Hall.
Beopjusa Temple was founded in 553 during the 14th year of Silla King Jinheung's reign. The temple is home to the nation's only wooden pagoda, Palsangjeon, as well as many other cultural heritages. The thing that draws the eye most is the 33m-tall bronze Maitreya Buddha statue. Many tourists come to see this grand statue, which used more than 100 tons of bronze.
Location
Magoksa Temple: Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do / Seonamsa Temple: Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
Description
Magoksa Temple was founded in 640 during the 9th year of Silla Queen Seondeok's reign. Thanks to the nearby flowing water and the peaceful moutain forest, the temple has a unique ambience of its own. It is also noteworthy that the flowing water and the mountains surrounding the temple form a taegeuk shape, a symbol of balance. During times of war, Magoksa Temple was used as a shelter. King Sejo commended the temple, saying it would last for over ten thousand years, and even wrote the signboard for Yeonsanjeong Hall himself. The hall later burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), but was rebuilt in 1651.
Seonamsa Temple was built in 529 during the 3rd year of Silla King Jinheung's reign. The temple name comes from a myth that an enlightened Taoist with mirculous powers rested by a rock here. The path to the temple features the arched Seungseongyo Bridge and an apricot tree over 600 years old. Seonamsa Temple is unique in that there is no gate of Four Gardian Kings which is normally found in temples. There is also only one statue of Buddha, located within Daeungjeon Hall, and there is no central door to the hall.
Location
Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
Description
Daeheungsa Temple was built sometime before the Goryeo Dynasty but its exact foundation time is hard to know. It is an important venue in the foundation of Buddhism in Korea, with many important Buddhist monks and scholars having come from this temple. It also served an important role in the establishing of Korea's tea culture. The temple is quite large, spread out into three major areas on the mountainside.
In the past, Korean temples consisted of both flatland temple sites and mountain temple sites. However, during the Joseon Dynasty, most of the flatland temples were removed, with only the mountain monasteries retaining their original functions. Thanks to this preservation, Korea's Buddhist mountain monasteries were recognized by UNESCO. The temples are praised for their authentic value in aspects of durability, historical significance, location and setting, and purpose.
Description
Tongdosa Temple was founded in 646 during the reign of Silla Queen Seondeok. The temple's long history can be felt and seen throughout the temple grounds. One unique characteristic of this temple is that a statue of Buddha is not immediately visible when entering the temple, nor even inside Yeongsanjeon Hall; the Buddha here is placed on the eastern part of the grounds, facing West. The main hall, Daeungjeon Hall, also has no image of Buddha but does have a stupa, a type of Buddha reliquary.
Buseoksa Temple was founded in 676 during the 16th year of Silla King Munmu's reign. The temple features a staircase of 108 steps so visitors can clear their minds of any stress before entering. Reaching the top also provides one with a clear view of the area. Buseoksa Temple is home to Muryangsujeon Hall, one of the oldest wooden building in the nation. Another interesting structure at this temple is the Baeheullimgidung Pillar, which becomes narrower towards its peak.
Location
Bongjeongsa Temple: Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do / Beopjusa Temple: Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Description
Bongjeongsa Temple was built in 672 during the 12th year of Silla King Munmu's reign. The temple name comes from a myth that a phoenix, ≪bonghwang≫ in Korean, visited this place. Before entering the templegrounds, visitors must pass through Manseru Gate. The gate is small, requiring all who enter to lower their heads, as to show gesture of humbling oneself. Bongjeongsa Temple is home to many historical treasures, including National Treasure No. 15 Geungnakjeon Hall, known to be the oldest wooden building in Korea, and National Treasure No. 311 Daeungjeon Hall.
Beopjusa Temple was founded in 553 during the 14th year of Silla King Jinheung's reign. The temple is home to the nation's only wooden pagoda, Palsangjeon, as well as many other cultural heritages. The thing that draws the eye most is the 33m-tall bronze Maitreya Buddha statue. Many tourists come to see this grand statue, which used more than 100 tons of bronze.
Location
Magoksa Temple: Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do / Seonamsa Temple: Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
Description
Magoksa Temple was founded in 640 during the 9th year of Silla Queen Seondeok's reign. Thanks to the nearby flowing water and the peaceful moutain forest, the temple has a unique ambience of its own. It is also noteworthy that the flowing water and the mountains surrounding the temple form a taegeuk shape, a symbol of balance. During times of war, Magoksa Temple was used as a shelter. King Sejo commended the temple, saying it would last for over ten thousand years, and even wrote the signboard for Yeonsanjeong Hall himself. The hall later burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), but was rebuilt in 1651.
Seonamsa Temple was built in 529 during the 3rd year of Silla King Jinheung's reign. The temple name comes from a myth that an enlightened Taoist with mirculous powers rested by a rock here. The path to the temple features the arched Seungseongyo Bridge and an apricot tree over 600 years old. Seonamsa Temple is unique in that there is no gate of Four Gardian Kings which is normally found in temples. There is also only one statue of Buddha, located within Daeungjeon Hall, and there is no central door to the hall.
Location
Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
Description
Daeheungsa Temple was built sometime before the Goryeo Dynasty but its exact foundation time is hard to know. It is an important venue in the foundation of Buddhism in Korea, with many important Buddhist monks and scholars having come from this temple. It also served an important role in the establishing of Korea's tea culture. The temple is quite large, spread out into three major areas on the mountainside.