Transcript Korean Buddhist Heart BULGUKSA (불국사) Professor: Heather A

Korean Buddhist Heart - BULGUKSA (불국사)
Professor: Heather A. Willoughby
Student: Huynh Thu Thao
CONTENTS
1. Introduction and History
2. Structure
3. Official Treasures at Bulguksa
3.1. National Treasures No.20 and 21
3.2. National Treasure No.22
3.3. National Treasure No.23
3.4. National Treasure No.26
3.5. National Treasure No.27
3.6. National Treasure No.61
4. Meanings
1. Introduction and History
1.1. Introduction: 불국사
[佛國寺]
-
A Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South
Korea.
-
Home to seven National treasures of South Korea.
-
Classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean
government.
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Being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the
Seokguram Grotto, which lies four kilometers to the east, in 1995.
-
Being considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art
in the Silla kingdom.
-
Currently the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of
Korean Buddhism.
1.2. History
- A small temple was built on this site under King
Beopheung in 528.
- The current temple was constructed under King
Gyeongdeok in 751, begun by Prime Minister Kim
Daeseong to pacify the spirits of his parents.
- The building was completed in 774 given its current
name Bulguksa (Temple of the Buddha Land).
- Being renovated during the Goryeo Dynasty and the
early Joseon Dynasty.
- Being burned to the ground During the Japanese
invasions between 1592 and 1598.
- After 1604, reconstruction and expansion of Bulguksa
started until 1805.
- During the Japanese occupation of 1910-1945, the
Japanese conducted a restoration (no records).
- After World War II and the Korean War, a partial
restoration was conducted in 1966.
- Major restoration was conducted between 1969 and
1973 by the order of President Park Chung Hee, bringing
Bulguksa to its current form.
2. Structure
• The temple is located on the slopes of Tohamsan, in
Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju.
- Sokgyemun
- Cheongungyo (청운교-Blue Cloud Bridge) + Baegungyo
(백운교-White Cloud Bridge)
- Jahamun (자하문-Mauve Mist Gate).
- Seokgatap (석가탑-Sakyamuni Pagoda) + Dabotap
(다보답-Many Treasure Pagoda)
- Daeungjeon (대웅전), the Hall of Great Enlightenment
-
Seven Treasure Bridge Chilbogyo (칠보교)
Museoljeon (무설전), the Hall of No Words
The Gwaneumjeon (Avalokitesvara's Shrine, 관음전)
Birojeon (Vairocana Buddha Hall, 비로전)
Geuknakjeon (Hall of Supreme Bliss, 극락전)
대웅전- 무설전 - 나한전
관음전 – 극락전 - 비로전
범영루 – 안양문 - 일주문
자하문 – 천왕문
증장천왕과 광목천왕-지국천왕과 다문천왕
사천왕상
3. Official treasures at Bulguksa
3.1. National Treasures No.20
and 21: Dabotap and
Seokgatap
3.1.1. Dabotap
-
Dabotap (Many Treasure Pagoda)
is 10.4 meters tall and dedicated to
the Many Treasures Buddha
mentioned in the Lotus Sutra.
-
Being known for its highly ornate
structure. Its image is reproduced
on the South Korean 10 won coin.
-
Dabotap is a far more complex
design, a unique creation.
3.1.2. Seokgatap
- Being over 13 centuries old,
8.2 meter high and is a
traditional Korean-style stone
pagoda with simple lines and
minimal detailing.
- Being ringed by eight stones
shaped like lotus flowers,
perhaps symbolizing the eight
lotus flowers that fell from
heaven as prophesied in the
Lotus Sutra.
- The complexity of the Dabotap is
balanced by the simplicity of the
Seokgatap.
 The legend of Asadal:
삼층석탑(무영탑) – 영지 연못
3.2. National Treasure No.22: Yeonhwagyo (Lotus Flower Bridge,
연화교) and Chilbogyo (Seven Treasures Bridge, 칠보교)
•
•
•
Being designated as the 22nd national treasure on December 20, 1962.
Sharing the 45 degree incline, arch underneath, and the combination
bridge/staircase design of their brother bridges.
Being known for its delicate carvings of Lotus Flowers on each step
but these have faded with the weight of many pilgrims.
3.3. National Treasure No.23: Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge,
청운교) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge, 백운교)
• Being built in 750 CE during
the reign of King Gyeongdeok.
• Being designated as the 23rd
national treasure on December
20, 1962.
.
There are 33 steps on the
stairway, which slopes at a 45
degree angle, and each step
corresponds to one of the 33
heavens of Buddhism. (The
lower Blue Cloud Bridge has
seventeen steps while the
upper White Cloud Bridge has
sixteen.)
3.4. National Treasure No.26: Vairocana Buddha
statue – 불국사 금동비로좌나붕좌상)
•
•
A seated gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha statue at Bulguksa Temple and
designated on December 20, 1962.
1.77 meters in height and made from gilt-bronze.
3.5. National Treasure No.27: Amitabha Buddha
statue (금동아미타여래좌상)
• Being designated on
December 20, 1962.
• 1.66 meters in height
and enshrined in
Geuknakjeon.
• This gilt-bronze statue
was probably cast in
the late eighth or early
part of the ninth
century and it shares
the style of National
Treasure No.26.
3.6. Treasure No.61: Sarira pagoda (사리탑)
• 2.1 meters tall and is
located at the left side
of the front garden of
Birojeon.
• It is from the Goryeo
Dynasty, but shows the
influence of Silla
Dynasty art.
• A sarira is a container
for the relics or remains
of famous priests or
royalty.
4. Meanings
• The complexity of the pagoda is representative
of the complexity of the universe.
• The open-air chamber within the pagoda
probably once contained an image of the
Buddha (in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha sits
inside the tower next to Many Treasures
Buddha).
• One of the most creative masterpieces in old
Asia.