Beopjusa

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Beopjusa

Temple Rooftops in the Green Landscape with Geumdongmireukdaebul Buddha
Korean name
Hangul 법주사
Hanja 法住寺
Revised Romanization Beopjusa
McCune–Reischauer Pŏpchusa

Beopjusa (Korean: 법주사 or Beopju temple) is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is situated on the slopes of Songnisan in Naesongni-myeon, Boeun County, in the province of Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. It was initially constructed in 553 by Silla monk Uisin. It has been historically associated with Beopsang thought and the worship of the Maitreya Buddha.

History

An snapshot of the temple in late spring.
An snapshot of the temple in late spring.
Colorful traditional lanterns found all over the Beopjusa Temple in South Korea for Buddha's birthday.
Colorful traditional lanterns found all over the Beopjusa Temple in South Korea for Buddha's birthday.
Entrance Gate to the Grounds
Entrance Gate to the Grounds

The founder, Uisin, named the temple Beopju (‘Residence of Dharma’) because a number of Indian sutras (scriptures about Dharma) he brought back with him were housed there.[1] The temple with more than 60 buildings and 70 hermitages, including the highest wooden pagoda in Korea, Palsangjeon. Like most of the other buildings, this was burned to the ground in the Japanese invasions of Korea.[2] The pagoda was reconstructed in 1624.

In the Goryeo dynasty, this temple is said to have been home to as many as 3,000 monks. A few facilities from this period still remain on the temple grounds, including a cistern and iron pot for serving food and water to thousands of monks. It continued to play an important role in subsequent centuries, but shrank as the state's support for Buddhism disappeared under the Joseon Dynasty. Joseon Dynasty founder Taejo is said to have retired to a spot near Beopjusa after tiring of his sons' fighting.

In popular culture

Beopjusa was chosen by Bruce Lee as the original setting for the movie Game of Death, with the five floors of Palsangjeon pagoda representing five different martial arts. Since Bruce Lee died before the movie was completed, the screenplay was changed, and Beopjusa was edited out.[3]

Gallery

  • Palsangjeon is believed to be the oldest and tallest pagoda found in Korea. It is one of only 2 wooden pagodas in the country.

  • Golden Maitreya Statue of National Unification at Beopjusa

  • Beopjusa Seogyeonji (stone basin) is National Treasure #64.

  • Ssangsajaseokdeung (Two Lion Stone Lamp)is National Treasure #5.

  • Palsangjeon (Hall of Eight Pictures) is located at Beopjusa is National Treasure of Korea #55.

  • Korea-Beoun-Beopjusa 1770-06.JPG
  • Korea-Beoun-Beopjusa 1777-06.JPG
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Beopjusa.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Brief History of Beopjusa Temple
  2. ↑ Cin Woo Lee "Simply stunning: 33 incredible Korean temples" CNN Go. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-12
  3. ↑ See the films Game of Death and Bruce Lee: A Warrior's Journey at 50m30s

External links

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