Singwangsa Temple – 신광사 (Buk-gu, Gwangju)
Temple History
Singwangsa Temple in Buk-gu, Gwangju, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozen or so other temples with the same name in Korea, is located in the eastern part of the city. Singwangsa Temple was first founded in 1933 from the donations of Kim Cheong-jaewol, who was the mother of Choi Dong-yeol. Choi Dong-yeol was a prominent figure in Gwangju around this time. Singwangsa Temple was the first temple in Gwangju to be made for the practice of nuns. In 1944, the first abbess of the temple, Hyeun (慧雲), took over the administration of the temple. She also registered it as a branch temple of Songgwangsa Temple. It was at this point that reconstruction at the temple began.
Originally, the temple was located within the Chosun University campus grounds in Jisan-dong, Dong-gu, Gwangju. In 1964, due to the small size of the main hall, both the main hall and the meditation hall were reconstructed. This was followed by the rebuilding of the lecture hall and the guest residence in 1974. In 1990, the temple sold its land within the Chosun University campus. And in 1993, Singwangsa Temple moved to its current location. Singwangsa Temple continues to be a home for the training of Korean Buddhist nuns. In total, there are currently six nuns and three lay administrative staff members that reside at the temple. Also, Singwangsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.
A rather interesting feature of the temple is that they hold the “Memorial Ceremony for Fallen Soldiers and Patriotic Spirits” every June. It’s supported by the Ministry of Veteran Affairs during Veterans’ Month. As part of this annual event, Singwangsa temple donates 150 kg of rice to five Buddhist welfare organizations.
Temple Layout
You first approach Singwangsa Temple down some back streets next to farmer’s fields and a park. Also running right up against the temple grounds, and as you look west, you’ll find the elevated Gwangju highway. It’s definitely an eye-sore.
Having passed through the Iljumun Gate at the entry of the temple grounds, you’ll finally enter the temple parking lot. Straight ahead, and obscuring the main temple courtyard, are the nuns’ dorms, administrative office, and kitchen facilities at Singwangsa Temple.
As you near the main temple courtyard to your left, you’ll find the Jong-gak Pavilion to your right. This open pavilion houses a solitary bronze bell inside. To your left, you’ll find the main temple courtyard, which houses the two temple shrine halls.
Straight ahead, and fronted by two modern stone lanterns, you’ll find the large Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls to the main hall are adorned with large Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar occupied by seven statues. The central image is that of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). The two other large, seated statues are Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) and Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). As for the standing statues placed between the three larger seated images of Buddhas, these are Bodhisattvas. They include Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion), Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom), and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). Also taking up residence inside the Daeung-jeon Hall is a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural), a Gamno-do (Sweet Dew Mural), as well as a mural dedicated to the monks Naong (1320–1376), Muhak (1327–1405), and Jigong (1289-1364). This painting is similar in style to that of the Shinjung Taenghwa, so they were probably created by the same artist.
To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the Samseong-gak Hall. The exterior walls are filled with murals dedicated to the Sinseon (Taoist Immortals), as well as a tiger. Stepping inside, you’ll find three shaman murals. The central image is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). It’s a modern painting done in red-accents. To the right and left of this central image, you’ll find paintings dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint) and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). In the painting dedicated to Dokseong, he looks quite emaciated. As for Sanshin, he’s joined by a yellow-eyed tiger with its head turned upward with an apparent roar.
How To Get There
There’s no easy way to get to Singwangsa Temple using public transportation from the Gwangju Bus Terminal. Of course, it can be done, but it requires two separate buses and then a 15 minute walk through maze-like streets. So the easiest way to get to Singwangsa Temple from the Gwangju Bus Terminal is to use a taxi, if you don’t have your own mode of transportation. The taxi ride will take about 20 minutes, or 9.6 km, and it’ll cost around 10,000 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
While not situated in the most beautiful of surroundings, especially with the highway so near, Singwangsa Temple definitely has some beautiful artwork. The interior to the Daeung-jeon Hall is definitely the highlight especially with its set of paintings. The Gamno-do, which is rare to find at Korean temples, is a reminder of death. The Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) is well-populated. And even rarer than the Gamno-do painting is the painting dedicated to the monks Naong (1320–1376), Muhak (1327–1405), and Jigong (1289-1364). In addition to these murals, you can also enjoy the emaciated image of Dokseong (The Lonely Saint) housed inside the Samseong-gak Hall, as well as the ferocious tiger contained within the Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) painting.
