Bongeunsa is a large Seon (Zen) Buddhist temple in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. It is across the street from COEX Center, and is set amidst the skyscrapers that dominate the Gangnam skyline. The temple reportedly dates to the 8th century, and was named one of the 14 main temples in Korea in 1902, and became the head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in 1911. It was badly damaged during the Korean War, and underwent restorations and renovations into the 1980s.
One of the most striking aspects of the site is the large Great Statue of Maitreya Buddha that looks out onto Gangnam. Also on site is the Institute for Translating Sutras from Chinese into Korean, founded in 1972.
[edit] History
The temple was reportedly founded in 794 by Venerable Yeon Hoe, and named Gyeongseongsa ("seeing true nature") [1]. The name Bongeunsa came in 1498, and the present location came in 1562. Structures on site have undergone renovations several times, due to fire and war.
Its status increased in 1902 when it was first named one of the 14 main temples in Korea, and again in 1911 when Bongeunsa became the head temple for the Jogye Order.
[edit] Grounds
The Great Statue of Maitreya Buddha (미륵대불)
[edit] Seonbul-dang (선불당)
[edit] Daewungjeon (대웅전)
Daewungjeon is the main hall of Bongeunsa and was most recently renovated in 1982. The interior features three Buddha statues and a calligraphy script by 19th-century scholar Kim Jeong-hui. The large stupa in front of Daewungjeon was brought from Sri Lanka in 1975 and is said to hold the Sari of Sakyamuni Buddha (Siddhārtha).
[edit] Panjeon (판전)
[edit] The Great Statue of Maitreya Buddha (미륵대불)
At 23 meters high, it is the largest statue of the Bodhisattva Maitreya (미륵보살) in South Korea. It was constructed between 1986 and 1996, and upon completion 100,000 paper lanterns were attached to it in celebration [2].
There is a small path that starts from one side of the statue, climbs the hillside and arcs behind the statue, and finishes on the other side, making a semicircle. From the point directly behind 미륵대불 one can gaze out onto the skyline of Samseong-dong.
[edit] Nearby Attractions
Bongeunsa is across the street from COEX Mall and Samseong Station, and is one subway stop away from Seonjeongneung in Seolleung. Leaving the temple and heading straight to the north (the opposite direction from Samseong Station) will lead to the line 7, and eventually to Apgujeong and then the Han River. To the east of the temple is an area with a large number of hotels.
[edit] Getting There
The temple is a ten minute walk from Samseong and Cheongdam stations on the Seoul subway. Or, take buses numbered 37, 21, 64, 212, 960, 65, 69 or 710.
[edit] Image gallery
[edit] External Links
