Bulguksa Temple

A World Heritage temple where the magnificent art of Silla culture blossomed

Bulguksa Temple, located at the foot of Mt. Tohamsan in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, was established in 1995.Seokguram GrottoIt is one of Korea's most representative temples, designated a World Heritage Site along with the Gyeongbokgung Palace, and is a representative Korean temple that preserves the refined art and Buddhist culture of Silla.

Records say that Bulguksa Temple was built by Kim Daeseong, the prime minister of Silla during the Unified Silla Period (751), for his parents in this world, and as the name "Bulguksa" suggests, it is said to have been built at the foot of Mt. Tohan to embody the Buddhist world. Seven national treasures are preserved here.

Bulguksa Temple was built after Silla unified the Three Kingdoms, when the kingdom was stable and all cultures were developed at the height of its power. Although the exact date of its construction is unknown, records show that it was a very large temple with over 2000 large and small buildings totaling over 60 rooms.

Bulguksa Temple's stone pagoda, stone steps, and stone foundation remain exactly as they were when it was first built in 751 (reigned by King Gyeongdeok, the 35th king of Silla). However, most of the wooden buildings, including the Main Hall, were burned down during the Imjin War in the 16th century and were rebuilt in the 18th century.

The Bulguksa Temple complex is home to six national treasures, including the Lotus Bridge and Chilbo Bridge (National Treasure No. 22), which are the stone steps leading up to Geuknakjeon Hall, the Cheongun Bridge and Baekun Bridge (National Treasure No. 23), which are the stone steps leading up to Jahamun Gate, the 1.7m-tall gilt bronze seated Vairocana Buddha (National Treasure No. 26) in Biroujeon Hall, the 1.7m-tall gilt bronze seated Maitreya Bodhisattva (National Treasure No. 27) in Geuknakjeon Hall, the Dabotap Pagoda (Treasure No. 20), and the Seokgyapap Pagoda (National Treasure No. 21).

The Bulguksa Temple grounds, which cover a total area of ​​12 pyeong, are home to the Daeungjeon Hall, Dabotap Pagoda, Seokgatap Pagoda and other famous stone pagodas characteristic of the Silla Dynasty.

Taobao
The 10-meter-tall Dabotap Pagoda is made of granite and was built during the heyday of the Silla Dynasty. Its unusual shape is not seen in other pagodas in the East, and it boasts excellent stone processing technology and beautiful design. National Treasure No. 20

Shaka Tower
Seokgatap Pagoda is a typical stone pagoda from the Silla period and is designated National Treasure No. 21. It is located to the right of the Daewoongjeon Hall of Bulguksa Temple and stands opposite Dabotap Pagoda.

If the Tahoto Pagoda has a feminine and delicate beauty, the Seokda Pagoda is a simple yet strong and masculine stone tower. Made of granite, this 8.2-meter-tall tower is a beautiful stone tower with a sense of stability, with the height of each base and the tower body being in harmony.

Haebu Bridge with Iljumun Gate (Sanmon Gate) and Cheonwangmun Gate in front

Tennomon Gate and the Four Heavenly Kings

If you go straight ahead after passing Tennomon Gate, you will see the 33-step Seiunkyo Bridge and Hakuunkyo Bridge in front of you. If you climb the 33 steps, you will find an entrance marked Shikamon Gate.

The temple complex has four objects that symbolize Buddhist teachings: a mokugyo (wooden fish), a cloud board, and (not shown in the photo) a taiko drum and a temple bell.

In front of the Daeungjeon Hall, dedicated to Sakyamuni, are the Tabotap Pagoda, symbolizing past Buddhas, and the Seokjatap Pagoda, symbolizing the present Buddha.

The Arhat Hall and Gokuraku Hall, where the 16 Arhats are enshrined. The golden boar in front of Gokuraku Hall has become a hot topic.

Behind the main hall is the Musejeon Hall, which is an auditorium, and the Kannon Hall, where the Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Kannon is enshrined.

To the left of the main gate of Bulguksa Temple is a monument with the words "World Heritage Site - Bulguksa Temple" engraved on it, and this is where we take lots of commemorative photos of Bulguksa Temple.