2. Outline
Architecture and Worldview
Location, Design, Layout
Passing Through the Gates
Primary Halls
Secondary Halls
Other Buildings
Pagodas
Inside the Halls
Art and Symbolism
Noteworthy Temples
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
7. Budo - Memorial Stupa
• First structure
in temple complex
• Stone structure
• Enshrines
‘sariras’ (relics) of
eminent monks
• Place to pay homage
and arouse faith
8. Passing Through the Gates
• Series of gates leading up
to main Buddha Hall
• Iljumun, Cheonwangmun,
Burimun
• Provide spiritual
preparation
9. Iljumun
• “One Pillar”
• Front gate
• Inscription names temple
and mountain
• Symbolic of beginning
journey towards one mind,
first steps into Pure Land
10. Cheonwangmun
• “Four Guardians’ Gate”
• 2nd gate
• 2 guardians on each side
• Ferocious faces scare away
evil spirits
• Guardians defend temple
from all four directions
11. Burimun
• “Gate of Non-Duality”
• 3rd gate at larger temples
• Larger than Iljumun
• Symbolizes the notion that
Pure Land and Saha World
are one
13. Daeung-jeon
• “Great Hero”
• Main Buddha Hall
• Holds Shakyamuni Statue
• 3 Platforms
- Main Platform
- Guardian Platform
- Memorial Platform
• Courtyard/Pagoda
14. Daejeokgwang-jeon
• Hall of “Silence and Light”
• Enshrines Vairocana Buddha
(Dharma Body)
• Triad includes Sakyamuni
and Rocana Buddha
• Represents Lotus Treasury
World
15. 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
17. Gwaneum-jeon
• Devoted to Avalokitesvara
• Also called Wontong-jeon
if entire temple is
dedicated to worship
18. Myeongbu-jeon
• “Dark Place”
• Judgement Hall
• Enshrines Jijang-
bosal
• Faces Main Hall
from right side
19. Mireuk-jeon
• Devoted to Maitreya - the
future Buddha of Loving
Kindness
20. Yaksa-jeon
• Enshrines
Bhaisajyaguru
• Medicine Buddha
• Believers visit when
sick
• Customarily placed
in east
21. Nahan-jeon
• Dedicated to the
disciples of Buddha
• Shakyamuni sits
on altar
• Surrounded by 500
disciples
• Large guardian in
entranceway
22. Palsang-jeon
• “Eight Scenes from
the Life of the
Buddha”
• Also known as
Yeongsan-jeon
23. Other Buildings
• Yosachae
• Gangdang
• Seungdang
• Josadang
• Samseonggak
• Jonggak and Goru
24. Yosachae
• Monks’ living
quarters
• Space for sleeping,
eating, and other
activities
• Usually includes
meditation space
• Often flank front
courtyard
• Residential
architecture
25. Gangdang
• Lecture Hall
• Only found in larger
temples
• Located near Main
Buddha Hall
• Also used for
ceremonies and
services
26. Seungdang
• “Monks’ Hall”
• Meditation and Practice
• Also called Seonbang or
Seonwon
27. Josadang
• Hall of Predecessors
• Portraits of founder and
deceased senior monks
• Combination of Korea’s
indigenous ancestral
worship and Seon
Buddhism
28. Samseonggak
• Shrine of the 3 Deities
• Not a part of Buddhism
• Small Buildings
• Dedicated to Indigenous
Shamanistic figures
29. Jonggak and Goru
• Jonggak (Bell Tower)
- Dharma Drum
- Wooden Fish
- Cloud-Shaped Gong
- Brahma Bell
• Goru - pavilion that
houses drum - faces
Jonggak
30. Pagodas
• Protect and keep safe
Sarira
• Usually divided into 3
sections
• Body usually has odd
number of stories
• Made of stone
32. Art and Symbols
• Buldan/Sumidan
• Main Halls symbolizes
Lotus Sutra Dharma
Assembly on
Vulture Peak
• Raining Flowers
• Datjip
“Separate House”
33. 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
34. Dancheong
• “Red and Blue”
• Dates back to 4th
century
• Elaborated in Joseon
• Use increased during
rebuilds
• Lotus Flowers & Fish
35. Noteworthy Temples
• Bulguk-sa
• As of 2000 • Haein-sa
892 traditional temples
• Bongjeong-sa
• Jogye Order = 731
• Seonam-sa
• Taego Order = 97
• Unju-sa
• Yongju-sa
36. Learn More!
Gyun, Heo. Korean Temple Motifs, Kim, Sung-woo. Buddhist Architecture of Korea,
Dolbegae Publishers, 2005. Hollym, 2007.
37. June 2012
State and Sangha:
Buddhist Culture and
Political Thought in Korea