Bulguksa: Symbol of Korean Buddhism

유네스코 등록 문화재 소개: 불국사
Buddhism has a long and storied history in Korea, the home of nearly a thousand Buddhist temples. But if you had to pick one to represent the country's Buddhist heritage, it'd probably be the Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangnamdo Province.
In this weekly special, our Kim Jung-soo presents the history and beauty of this ancient site - Bulguksa, Korea's UNESCO World Heritage.
Buddhism was introduced to Korea in the 5th century and spread quickly through the country.
In the year 528, the Bulguksa temple in Gyeongju was founded during the reign of King Beopheung of the Shilla dynasty... as a sanctuary for his queen to pray for the well-being of her country.
It was never intended to be a building of major importance, being eight times smaller than other temples of its age.
After multiple restorations, Bulguksa was finally designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, receiving belated praise for its architectural vision and delicate craftsmanship.

"Despite its humble beginnings, Bulguksa is now one of the most well-recognized temples in Korea. It is also home to seven national treasures, including Dabotap."

Instantly recognizable, the Dabotap pagoda is designated as Korea's national treasure number 20. It's also featured on the Korean 10-won coin.
The stone tower symbolizes the complex and transitory nature of the world.
Dabotap's ornateness is perhaps even more pronounced juxtaposed as it is to national treasure 21, the simpler, more conservative Seokgatap pagoda.

The pair symbolize the essence of Buddhism, which strives for a harmonious balance in life while navigating its contradictions and extremes.

To see the towers at Bulguksa, visitors must first cross a stone bridge that symbolically connects the physical world and the realm of spirits.
They then pass through a gate called Chunwangmun , guarded by four fierce-looking gods.
Next, they climb a broad stone stairway called Cheongungyo leading to the main hall of Daeungjeon, also known as the Hall of Great Enlightenment.

"I was an architecture major back in the day. It really is amazing that our ancestors built these delicate wooden and stone structures. All these buildings tell a timeless story full of meaning and poetic beauty."

In addition to the two towers infront of it, the temple also enshrines the Sakyamuni Buddha, and serves as the official site for major Buddhist ceremonies.

Daeungjeon lies at the center of Bulguksa, and is surrounded by four other halls:
Museoljeon, Gwaneumjeon, Birojeon and lastly, Geuknakjeon. Geuknakjeon has one more attraction: a gold-colored ornamental-pig remained hidden behind the the building's wooden signboard until it was recently rediscovered.
Visitors were anxious to touch a replica of the golden pig for good luck. And despite the August heat, the temple still welcomed a steady flow of curious onlookers.
Kim Jung-soo, Arirang News.


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