Bulguksa

Bulguksa is a Buddhist temple in the province of Gyeongsangbuk -do in South Korea and located 16 kilometers southeast of the city of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla kingdom. The temple is considered a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom. It is home to seven National treasures of South Korea: two stone pagodas, two staircases, two gilded Buddha statues and a reliquary.

History

In the year 528 was built by King Beopheung at this point a little prayer temple for his wife, who, however, later fell into oblivion and fell into disrepair. The present temple was begun by King Gyeongdeok of his Prime Minister Kim Dae- seong and completed in the year 774. At this time the temple was given the name Bulguksa (Temple of the Buddha's country ).

It was renovated during the Goryeo and early Joseon Dynasty several times. However, during the Imjin War (1592-1598) the wooden building burned down completely. Already in 1604 began the rebuilding and enlargement of the temple and in the following years there were further renovations, but it came again and again to destruction and looting.

After an extensive archaeological investigation of the Bulguksa was finally reconstructed extensively President Park Chung -hee 1969-1973 and received its present appearance. The famous stone structures were able to be obtained, and date back to the Silla period.

In 1995, the temple complex was included along with the 4-km uphill located Seokguram in the list of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

Architecture

The former main entrance of the temple complex went through a two-piece staircase through the "Gate of the purple mist " ( Jahamun ) for large Tempelhof.

The staircase has 33 steps. They symbolize the 33 steps to enlightenment and consist of cut granite blocks. The staircase dates from the 8th century and is Korea's National Treasure No. 23 The lower part of the "bridge of blue clouds " ( Cheongungyo ) is 6.3 m long and has 17 steps. The upper part of the "bridge of white clouds " ( Baegungyo ) is 5.4 m long and has 16 steps. The climb up the two stone stairs was locked. Visitors enter today situated behind the Jahamun Gate Tempelhof via a side entrance.

In the middle of the great temple courtyard is the " Hall of the great enlightenment " ( Daeungjeon ). It was completely destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), today's Hall is a modern reconstruction.

In the square between Jahamun Gate and Daeungjeon hall are two stone pagodas: the three-stage Seokgatap simple and complicated constructed Dabotap.

The Seokgatap Pagoda is 8.20 m high. On a square base three floors rise with the typical Silla downward Treppung the roof wreaths. The Seokgatap is over 1300 years old and Korea's National Treasure No. 21

The extraordinary Dabotap Pagoda, Korea's National Treasure No. 20, is about 10.40 m high and is one of the most important Buddhist works of art in the world. The lowest part of the pagoda is formed by a cuboid, which embodies the earthly Yin principle. On these lead four nine-step stairs. On the square are four massive pillars and a central heart pillar. These support a square roof panel fence. About this roof plate the pagoda turns into a complicated octagonal crown. The octagon symbolizes the circle embodying the heavenly yang principle. The Dabotap Pagoda is mapped to the current 10 -Won coin.

The back of the great temple courtyard is completed by the " hall without words" ( Museol - Jeon ). The name of the hall goes back to the fact that the Buddha's faith can not be taught with words. It is the largest hall of the complex and how the Daeungjeon Hall a modern reconstruction.

In the north, behind the Museol - Jeon - hall, there are two more halls. On a hill in the northeast, the highest point of the complex, the Kwaneum - Jeon - hall Biro Jeon hall is with a picture of Avalokitsvara and to the northwest with a statue of Buddha Vairovana. This statue is 1.77 meters high and made of gilded bronze. It probably dates from the 9th century and is Korea's National Treasure No. 26 Before Biro Jeon - hall is National Treasure No. 61: the sarira - stupa, a reliquary in the form of a stone lantern.

To the west of the great temple courtyard is another smaller Tempelhof. This formerly reached on a further, now also locked, two-piece staircase. This is overall smaller, but similar to the larger plant form and structure. It has 18 steps and is Korea's National Treasure No. 22 The lower part, the "Bridge of Lotus Flower" ( Yeonhwagyo ), has 10 levels and the upper part, the "Bridge of the seven treasures " ( Chilbogyo ), 8 levels. About this staircase was reached through the "Gateway of the Pure Land " ( Anyangmun ) on the small Tempelhof with the "Paradise Hall " ( Geuknakjeon ). This includes Korea's National Treasure No. 27, a gilded bronze statue of Amitabha Buddha. The statue is 1.66 meters high and probably comes also from the 9th century.