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Hojak-do – Tiger and Magpie Painting: 호작도
Introduction The “Magpie and Tiger” is a prominent genre of Minhwa in Korean folk art known as “Hojak-do – 호작도.” This painting is also known as a “Kkachi Horangi Minhwa – 까치호랑이 민화” in Korean. In this painting, the tiger is purposely given a ridiculous appearance, while the magpie looks more dignified and noble. So why are these two animals depicted this way? What is a Minhwa? And why do they appear at a Korean Buddhist temple? Minhwa The term “Minhwa” literally means “painting of the people” or “popular painting” and were originally from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The present form that we know of today in Minhwa art dates…
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Sanghwanam Hermitage – 상환암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Hermitage History Sanghwanam Hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated with Beopjusa Temple in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Sanghwanam Hermitage is located to the east of Taebong (549.9 m) on Mt. Songnisan (1058 m). According to the “Boeungun-ji,” Sanghwanam Hermitage is believed to have first been built in 720 A.D.; however, the founder of the hermitage is unknown. Later, and in 1391, Lee Seong-gye (1335-1408), who would become the founder and first ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon (r. 1392-1398), prayed for one hundred days at Sanghwanam Hermitage before ascending the throne. Another interesting feature about the hermitage is whether it was called Sanghwanam Hermitage since it was…
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Bokcheonam Hermitage – 복천암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Bokcheonam Hermitage, which is located in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do on the Beopjusa Temple grounds, was first built in 720 A.D. during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s the oldest among the hermitages directly associated with Beopjusa Temple on Mt. Songnisan. The hermitage has undergone several reconstructions throughout the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1449, the hermitage was renovated by the monk Sinmi (1403-1480) in 1464. King Sejo of Joseon (r. 1455-1468), who considered Sinmi to be his teacher, visited Bokcheonam Hermitage. The reason for this is that King Sejo of Joseon was known to have a skin ailment, and Bokcheonam Hermitage was known for its curative…
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Five-Story Brick Pagoda in Unheung-dong, Andong – 안동 운흥동 오층전탑 (Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Pagoda History The “Five-Story Brick Pagoda in Unheung-dong” is located in central Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the north of a trainyard and to the east of Homeplus. This brick pagoda is believed to have once belonged to Beomninsa Temple, which was written about in a couple of sources. One of these records is the “Dongguk yeoji seungnam – Augumented Survey of the Geography of Korea,” which was written in 1481. Another source is the “Yeonggaji – Record of the Andong Region,” which was written in 1608. According to the “Yeonggaji – Record of the Andong Region,” the brick pagoda at Beomnimsa Temple was a seven-story structure. As a result, historians believe…
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Banyasa Temple – 반야사 (Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Banyasa Temple is located in northeastern Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do up a long valley next to Mt. Baekhwasan (933.3 m). This mountain is part of the Baekdu-daegan Mountain Range. Water flows out from Mt. Baekhwasan and forms the beautiful Gusucheon Stream. And where the stream flows past Banyasa Temple, it forms an “S-shape” similar to that of a Taeguk. The name of the temple, Banyasa Temple, means “Wisdom Temple” in English, as the name is a reference to Prajna in Sanskrit. As for the founding of the temple, there are a couple stories as to when it was first created. One story relates that the temple was first established by…
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Seongjusa Temple – 성주사 (Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Seongjusa Temple is located in the northwestern foothills of Mt. Bulmosan (801.1 m) in Changwon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The name of the temple, Seongjusa Temple, means “Saint Abides Temple” in English. The temple was first built in 835 A.D. by the monk Muyeom-guksa (801-888 A.D.). Muyeom-guksa was said to be the eighth-generation descendant of King Muyeol of Silla (r. 654-661 A.D.). Muyeom-guksa was an advisor to the king. Because King Heungdeok of Silla (826-836 A.D.) was able to defeat the Japanese as a result of Muyeom-guksa’s mystical powers, the king gave Muyeom-guksa land to build a temple. This temple would become known as Seongjusa Temple. What’s also interesting about this…
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Changnimsa-ji Temple Site – 창림사지 (Gyeongju)
Temple Site History The Changnimsa-ji Temple Site is located on the northwestern foothills of Mt. Namsan in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It’s believed that the temple site dates back to at least the 8th century based upon the age of the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda at Changnimsa Temple Site of Namsan Mountain,” which also just so happens to be Korean Treasure #1867. It’s believed that the temple continued to operate throughout the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), until it finally fell into disrepair during the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Purportedly, the Changnimsa-ji Temple Site is also the site of the first Silla palace, which was erected by King Hyeokgeose of Silla (r.…
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Giwonjeongsa Temple – 기원정사 (Gyeongju)
Temple History Giwonjeongsa Temple is located in the far eastern part of Gyeongju on Mt. Hyeongsan (257.1 m). In fact, it’s so far east, it almost runs up against the city limits of Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Purportedly, the temple was originally built 1,300 years ago during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). Later, and in 1995, the abbot of the temple found the current location and decided to build a temple on the site because it looked like a blue dragon turning its head. The name of the temple is a reference to Jetavana, which is where the Buddha gave the majority of his vassas (three month annual retreat).…
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Colonial Korea – Ssanggyesa Temple
Temple History Ssanggyesa Temple is located in Jirisan National Park in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple was first constructed in 722 A.D., and it was called Okcheonsa Temple. The temple was built after the monks Daebi and Sambeop were instructed by the Jirisan Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) in the form of a tiger to find a valley where arrowroot blossomed throughout the year even during wintertime. Both monks were the disciples of the famed temple building monk, Uisang-daesa (625-702). Finding such a location, they built Okcheonsa Temple. And after returning from China, they buried the skull of the Sixth Seon Patriarch, Huineng (638-713 A.D.), under the main hall. It was later dug…
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Buljosa Temple – 불조사 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Buljosa Temple is located to the northwest of Mt. Sineosan (630.7 m) in northern Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple was first constructed in 1995 to help commemorate the monk Jangyu-hwasang, who puportedly first arrived on the Korean Peninsula in 46 A.D. Jangyu-hwasang, whose original name was Heo Bo-ok, was the brother of Queen Heo Hwang-ok. Queen Heo Hwang-ok (32-189 A.D.) would become the wife of Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (42? – 199 A.D.), who was the legendary founder of Geumwang Gaya (43–532 A.D.). Jangyu-hwasang, in his own right, was purportedly a prince. He, alongside twenty servants, sailed with his sister, Queen Heo Hwang-ok, to the Korean Peninsula. According to…