Bunhwangsa is a small temple on the southern outskirts of Gyeongju, just next to the ruins of the Hwangnyongsa site. It was built in 634 AD during the reign of Queen Seondeok, and it is most notable for being the site of the Mojeon pagoda (모전탑골) -- designated as National Treasure No. 30 on December 20, 1962-- which is guarded by four stone lions and is the oldest known pagoda on the peninsula. It is believed to have formerly had as many as nine stories, but there are now only three, and over the centuries it has come to be filled with debris. In 1915 an excavation, carried out by the Japanese colonial government, discovered a relic box which contained the remains of an unkown person, most likely a priest, and a collection of gold artifacts which may have belonged to Queen Seondeok herself.
 The pagoda, having been built at a time when Silla artisans lacked long traditions and experience, was built in a style imitative of the contemporaneous Tang Dynasty in China; it was renovated during the Goryeo dynasty, sometime between the reigns of King Sukjong and King Yejong. It has four entrances, each guarded by two "Ferocious Guardians of Buddhism". The pagoda was badly damaged by the 1915 excavation and what you see today is mainly a reconstruction.
Other notable features of the temple are two stone wells, one of which, called Hogukyongbyeoneojeong (호국용변어정), is designated Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural Property Material No. 9, and the monument pedestal of Hwajaengguksa (화쟁국사), designated Gyeongsangbukdo Tangible Cultural Property No. 97. There is also the Yaksayeorae (약세여래) Statue (Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural Property Material No. 317), built in 1774 during the 50th year of King Yeongjo's reign. The well was built in the Silla period and is associated with a legend about three dragons who were turned into fish. The monument pedestal was built in 1101 at the wish of King Sukjong. Today only the stele remains, with its original calligraphy.
[edit] Visitor's info
- Getting there: A taxi from Gyeongju Station will take about 10 minutes; you can also take buses 10, 11, 15, 17, 18, and 277.
- Admission: 1,300 won for adults; 1,000 for teens (13 - 18) and 800 for children. Groups of more than 30 receive a 100 won per-person discount.
- Hours: The temple is open from 7:30 am until 7:00 pm.
- Telephone: 054) 742 9952 (Korean only)
- Address: 312 Guhwang-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
[edit] Source
[edit] Gallery
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