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Colonial Korea – Hwaeomsa Temple
Temple History Hwaeomsa Temple, which is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do, is on the very south-western edge of the famed Jirisan National Park. Hwaeomsa Temple means “Flower Garland Temple” in English. Because of this name, it is directly linked to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). In Korean, the Flower Garland Sutra is known as “Hwaeom-gyeong – 화엄경.” And in Sanskrit, the sutra is known as the “Avataṃsaka Sūtra.” The temple was first founded in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa, who’s believed to have come from India. The temple was then later expanded by Jajang-yulsa (590-648 A.D.) in 643 A.D. And during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r.661-681 A.D.), the famous monk, Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) inscribed eighty replicas…
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Templestay – Hwaeomsa Temple (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Introduction to Temple Hwaeomsa Temple is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do on the very south-western edge of Jirisan National Park. Hwaeomsa Temple means “Flower Garland Temple” in English, which is in reference to the Flower Garland Sutra. The temple was first established in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa, who might have been from India. The temple was later expanded by Jajang-yulsa (590-648 A.D.) in 643 A.D. And it was further expanded by the monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.), during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r. 661-681 A.D.). Later, and in 875 A.D., Doseon-guksa (827-898 A.D.) expanded the temple, once more. Throughout the years, Hwaeomsa Temple has undergone numerous rebuilds…
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Yeongiam Hermitage – 연기암 (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Yeongiam Hermitage is located in the far northern part of the Hwaeomsa Temple grounds in Gurye, Jeollanam-do. Yeongiam Hermitage is one of eight hermitages at Hwaeomsa Temple. Yeongiam Hermitage is named after the Indian monk that first founded Hwaeomsa Temple in 544 A.D., Yeongi-josa. The hermitage is believed to have first been built during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). Yeongiam Hermitage was then destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) in 1592. The hermitage was only recently rebuilt in 1989. And it continues to expand to the present day. Hermitage Layout Making your way up to Yeongiam Hermitage and past the hermitage parking lot, you’ll be…
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Iljumun – The One Pillar Gate: 일주문
Introduction So we’re going to be starting a new series here on the blog. We’re going to be talking more about Korean Buddhist temple architecture. What does it mean? What does it look like? Why is it there? And first on the list is the first gate, which is also typically the first structure that will greet you at a Korean Buddhist temple, is the Iljumun Gate. Iljumun translates into English as the “One Pillar Gate.” Iljumun Gate Design The Iljumun Gate is very simple in its design. It consists of a tiled roof that’s supported by either two or four pillars that stand in a straight line. A wooden…
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Hwaeomsa Temple – 화엄사 (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Hwaeomsa Temple, which is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do, is on the very south-western edge of the famed Jirisan National Park. Hwaeomsa Temple means “Flower Garland Temple,” in English. Because of this name, it is directly linked to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). In Korean, the Flower Garland Sutra is known as “Hwaeom Gyeong – 화엄경.” And in Sanskrit, the sutra is known as the “Avataṃsaka Sūtra.” The temple was first founded in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa, who might have come from India. The temple was then later expanded by Jajang-yulsa (590-648 A.D.) in 643 A.D. And during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r.661-681 A.D.),…