[Travel to Korea] Buddhist temples of VI century
South Korea has a huge historical heritage. For me, Korea is a museum. Small pieces of history can be found in different parts of the country. And the most of these sights are hundreds of years old.
Korean government takes care of each historical heritage, and makes all possible to protect and restore it. Today I want to introduce to you one of the oldest and magical place in South Korea — Bulkugsa Buddhist Temple (불국사).
Bulguksa Temple is located in the historical capital of South Korea — in Gyeongju city. I told about that city before. You can check it in my blog.
Bulguksa is one of the oldest temples in South Korea. According to Korean history about 3 states “Samguk Yusa” (Koguryo, Silla, Baekje), the temple was built it 528 on the territory of Silla.
The temple was rebuilt and reconstructed several times because of wars which happened in Korea.
From 1592 till 1598 Korea suffered from Japanese invasion. Imjin War is one of the most tragical periods in Korean history. And results of that war can be felt even today. This war didn’t just take the lives of thousands of people, but it also destroyed many historical sights.
When the war ended in 1604 the Korean government gave an order to restore the temple. During 200 years temple changed a lot.
In 1910, Japanese annexation began in Korea, during which the restoration of the temple was continued by Japanese specialists and workers. But the work wasn’t finished. Korea was under Japanese annexation for about 35 years.
Today appearance of Bulguksa was created during the government of Park Chung Hee president.
There are two stone stairs of 33 steps which lead to the temple. The low one Chunungyo and the upper one is Pegungyo. These 33 steps symbolize the path to enlightenment.
One of the main features of the temple are the pagodas. There are two pagodas in the temple. Usually, there is only one pagoda in Buddhist temples.
Sokkathap Pagoda consists of 3 tiers and its height reaches 8.2 meters. And the second Tabotkhap pagoda or, as it is also called, the Treasure Pagoda has an unusual design and its height is 10.4 m.
There is a main hall of the temple Daeungjeon Hall behind the pagodas. Daeungjeon Hall means a Hall of Great Enlightenment. The hall was constructed in 681, and it is a shrine of Sakyamuni Buddha.
There is also a hall of Silence or Museoljeon hall. According to Buddhist canons Buddhist studies should be shared not only with words. The hall was built in 670.
Next destination is a Seokguram grotto, which is also a part of the Bulguksa temple.
