Beopryunsa Temple – 법륜사 (Dongnae-gu, Busan)
Temple History
Beopryunsa Temple is located to the south of Dongnae Historic Park in Dongnae-gu, Busan. Beopryunsa Temple is located in ancient Gochilsan, which is mentioned in the “Samguk Sagi,” or “History of the Three Kingdoms” in English. Beopryunsa Temple was first founded in 1898 as a branch temple of Beomeosa Temple. In total, Beopryunsa Temple was one of five branch temples in Busan established by Beomeosa Temple in the late 19th century. They were located in the four centres of the city that included Seomyeon, Yeongdo, and Dongnae.
Four of these five temples have subsequently disappeared. This now only leaves Beopryunsa Temple. Beopryunsa Temple was created to help spread Buddhism in the local area. During the March 1st Movement, the temple served as a base for anti-Japanese activities. Additionally, the temple was involved in efforts to help eradicate illiteracy through night classes.
In the 1950s, the government proposed building a horticultural education school on the temple grounds. Dr. Woo Jangchun (April 8, 1898 – August 10, 1959) donated the land to Beomeosa Temple, which then relocated its Dongnae branch temple to its current site. In exchange, Beomeosa Temple gifted the current site of the Dongnae Horticultural High School to Dr. Woo Jangchun.
Since this time, numerous monks have trained at the temple. Also, considerable construction has taken place at Beopryunsa Temple including the three-story pagoda in 1962, the Daeung-jeon Hall in 1985, the Beomjong-gak Pavilion in 1987, and the Yosachae (dorms) in 1988. And in more recent years, the Geukrak-jeon Hall was built. This helped finalize the current layout of the temple grounds at Beopryunsa Temple. Beopryunsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.
Temple Layout
Off a busy road, and squeezed next to an older apartment complex, you’ll make your way up to Beopryunsa Temple down a winding road. To the left of the temple parking lot, you’ll find the two-in-one Cheonwangmun Gate/Beomjong-gak Pavilion. The first story of the structure acts as the Cheonwangmun Gate. The right exterior wall has a painting with what appears to be a monk on top of a tiger with dongja (attendants) at the tiger’s tail. Stepping inside this entry gate, you’ll find four aqua blue-accented murals of the Four Heavenly Kings. As for the second story of the structure, a lone bronze bell rests inside the pavilion.
Passing through the Cheonwangmun Gate, you’ll enter into the main temple courtyard at Beopryunsa Temple. Straight ahead is the two-story Daeung-jeon Hall. The first story of the structure acts as the administrative office and dorms at the temple. As for the second story, it’s the main hall at Beopryunsa Temple. The exterior walls to the Daeung-jeon Hall are adorned in various Buddhist related motifs like an all-white Gwanseeum-bosal lending a helpful hand and Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha).
Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar occupied by a triad of statues centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). And flanking this central image are slender statues of Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). This triad rests on the main altar underneath a small, red datjib (canopy). To the left of the main altar is a black Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). And to the right of the main altar, you’ll find a modern mural dedicated to a multi-armed and headed Gwanseeum-bosal and a two-in-one mural of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) and Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). Lastly the interior walls are adorned in Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals). Unfortunately, both the Daeung-jeon Hall and the two-in-one Cheonwangmun Gate/Beomjong-ru Pavilion are made of concrete. In fact, all the structures at Beopryunsa Temple are made of concrete.
In front of the stairs leading up to the second story Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a pair of stone lions joined by a pair of book-ending stone lanterns. To the far right of the main hall, you’ll find some more monks’ dorms. And between the monk’s dorms and Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the temple’s three-story stone pagoda. Purportedly, it enshrines a sari (crystallized remain) from the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul.
To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall, on the other hand, you’ll find the north-to-south Geukrak-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned in a fading set of Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). Stepping inside, and resting on the main altar, you’ll find a triad of statues centred by Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). This central image is then flanked by statues of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Power for Amita-bul). The rest of the interior is adorned with Buddhist related murals. Again, and unfortunately, the Geukrak-jeon Hall is made of concrete.
How To Get There
From the Suan subway stop, which is located on the fourth line, stop #403, you’ll need to go out exit #3. From there, head north up “Myeong-ryun-ro 94-beongil – 명륜로 94번길” street. You’ll need to head up this road for about 450 metres, until you come to “Dongnae-ro 148-beonro – 동래로 148번로” street. You’ll then need to head east down this street, until you hit the rotary and the road becomes “Dongnae-ro – 동래로” street. From the rotary, it’ll take about 100 more metres to the entry of Beopryunsa Temple, which will be to the south (right). In total, the walk should take about 12 to 15 minutes, or 700 metres.
And if you’d rather take a taxi, you can catch one from exit #5. In total, the taxi ride should take about 2 to 3 minutes, or 750 minutes, and it’ll cost you 4,800 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 5/10
There’s nothing mind-blowing about Beopryunsa Temple. In fact, it’s pretty average. A couple things to keep an eye out for, however, are the four murals dedicated to the Four Heavenly Kings inside the first story of the Cheonwangmun Gate. Also, the Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals) lining the Geukrak-jeon Hall up near the eaves of the concrete structure are nice, as well. Unfortunately, and this is a big put off for me, all of the structures, including the shrine halls, are made of concrete.
