SHRINE HALLS

Gwaneumjeon (Avalokitesvara's Shrine)

This hall enshrines Gwanseeum Bosal, the Bodhisattva of Perfect Compassion. Also known as the Hearer of Cries, Avalokitesvara's Bodhisattva is dedicated to the welfare of all living things and is ever ready to help those who cry out in their suffering.

The original statue dated from 922 and was made of Candana. However at some future date it disappeared but no-one knows when the present statue dates from 1973 when Bulguksa was restored.

the Bodhisattva of Great Compassion with eleven faces

the door of lotus patterns

Geungnakjeon (Supreme Bliss Hall)

Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Cosmic Light who resides in the Pure Land, is enshrined in this hall. This statue, covered in gold leaf and gold powder, is National Treasure No.27 and it was created in the middle of 8th century during the Unified Silla Period(668~935) The 177cm high statue probably had a halo originally. The building was constructed in 750 but burned down in 1593, reconstructed in 1750, and repaired in 1925. As you pass from the Daeungjeon to the Geungnakjeon, you climb 16 steps which have been constructed in three sets. These 48 steps represent the 48 vows of Amitabha Buddha who always prays to help all beings.

the Amitabha Buddha(National treasure no. 27)

Wooden pig sculpture in Geungnakjeon

Nahanjeon (Arhat’s Hall)

Place where the Buddha's disciples are. As there are 16 disciples, it is called 16 Nahanjeon or 16 Eungjinjeon.

Daeungjeon, Great Enlightenment Hall (Treasure no.1744)

Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined in this hall. The wooden Sakyamuni Buddha statue stands in the center of the alter, with a wooden Maitreya to the left and Galla Bodhisattva(the previous life of Dipankara Buddha, the Buddha before Sakyamuni)to the right assisting the Buddha. Maitreya is the Future Buddha, Sakyamuni is the Buddha of the present era and Galla Bodhisattva is the Past Buddha. Thus the Buddha of the past, present and future are all together in the Daeungjeon of Bulguksa

These five statues(the Buddha, too Bodhisattvas and too disciples) were all originally made in 681. However, as the originals were probably destroyed with the building in 1593, these statues were most likely made in 1659. The original Main Hall was probably constructed in 681, the existing hall was reconstructed in 1765 on the original stone platform created in the Unified Silla Period(668~935)This building represents the Buddhist temple architecture belonging to the middle of the Joseon period(1392—1910)

Inside

The Vulture peak assembly(Treasure no. 1797)

Museoljeon (No Word Hall)

This hall called the No-Word/Non-Lecturing Hall. This is because, even though it is used for lecturing on the sutras, the essence of the Buddha's teachings is beyond language, and thus cannot be lectured. Thus the title bears witness to the limits of language as for as under standing life and the world are concerned. Great Master Euisang(620~660) taught here. Burned down in 1693 during the Japanese Invasion, it was once more destroyed in 1910 and only rebuilt in 1973 in its original form. It has a gabled roof and follows the typical pattern of construction the middle of the Joseon Dynasty.

The Vulture Peak assembly

Ksitigarbha(the Earth Treasury King of Great Vow Bodhisattva)

Beomyeongru (Bell Pavilion)

Beomyeongru' is the name of the Bell Pavilion. This literally means "in the shadow of the bell", implying that the sound of the bell spreads, live shadow, all over the world teaching and liberating anyone who wishes to be free from suffering. One of the original buildings constructed by Kim Daesung in 751, it was burned down in 1593 during the Japanese Invasion and then reconstructed in 1612 and again 1688 on the original site.

The architecture shows a multi-bracketed structure with a hipped-and-gabled roof.

Beomjonggak, The Bell Pavilion

Beomjong is rung to spread teachings of among the ordinary people and to the suffering spirits in the hell All of these musical instruments are used for the Buddhist service twice every day, in the morning to wake up all the living things in the world and in the evening to close the gate to their heaven.

Bulgukgangwon(Sangha Univ.)

Bulgukgangwon, a sutra school(Buddhist academy) is a modern educational institute for Buddhist monks founded and governed by the Bulguksa temple. Since the opening of the school in the early 1970s by the zen master Wolsan, many Buddhist disciples were graduated and it has acquired a high profile as a specialized formal educational institute for Buddhist monks.

Bulgukseonwon(A Seon Monastery or Center)

It is known that meditating monks hold intensive summer and winter retreat here from the 16th day of the fourth lunar month to the 15th day of the seventh lunar month and from the 16th day of the tenth month to the 15th day of the first lunar month. All monastics follow very strict rules and a rigorous practice schedule during summer and winter retreats, each of which lasts three.

Burimun Gate

The Non-duality Gate: Other names for this gate is the Enlightenment Gate, or Nirvana Gate. "One who sees the law of non-duality will see the Buddha and attain enlightenment," the sutra says.

Birojeon (Vairocana Buddha Hall)

Vairocana Buddha, enshrined in this hall, is the embodiment of Truth and Wisdom and of Cosmic Power. The statue has been richly covered in gold leaf and gold powder; it is National Treasure No.26. Standing 177cm high, the statue probably originally had a halo.

The building was constructed in 751, burnt down in 1593(Japanese pirate invaders) and again built in 1666. The present building was restored using the original cornerstones dating from the Shil-la period in 1973 according to architectural designs dating from the later Joseon Dynasty.

The Vairocana Buddha(National treasure no. 26)

Anyang Gate

Anyang gate leads to the utmost bliss where Amitabha Buddha is. Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo Bridges(National treasure no. 22) are under the gate. The name 'Anyang' means ' the Utmost Bliss '.

Iljumun Gate(One Pillar Gate)

The One Pillar Gate, or the Dharma-gate of Non-duality: This is symbolic of the journey towards the one mind or the first step towards the Buddha Land. Whosoever passes through this gate is entering the sacred precinct of the Buddha. One should empty one's mind before entering the gate.

Jahamun

The middle gate leading to the Daeungjeon where the Buddha is located. When Cheongungyo and Baegungyo Bridges(National treasure no. 23) come up, the kingdom of Buddha unfolds from this gate.

Jahamoon means the gate surrouned by a purple fog from Buddha's body.

Jwagyeongru Pavilion

Jwakyongroo (gong Pavilion) : This is where the Mogeo is hung. This carp-shaped wooden gong is hit to comfort the dead fishes in the hell. Originally, it was hung in front of the storage room or in the dining room and used to call monks. Later it was used during the recitation of sutras. Now it is used as a dharma tool which delivers the Buddha Dharma to all beings in the water. Since fish always keep their eyes open, the wooden fish symbolically encourages the practitioners to stay awake in meditation.

Mokeo,a wooden fish-shaped drum: It is believed that all fish that hear the sound of the drum will be delivered. Monks strike the sides of the hollow center with two sticks.

Unpan, Cloud-shaped gong: A cloud-shaped bronze plate with the letter of a six-syllable mantra or a design of dragon on its body. It is usually struck to signal meal time, but it is also believed that the sound of this brass will awaken and save the birds in the air.