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Bulgapsa Temple |
2009-09-22 |
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Moak-ri Bulgap-myeon Yeonggwang-gun Jeollanam-do Province
Ancient Baekje temple decorated with scenic autumn vista
Bulgapsan Mountain is 516 meters high above sea level and stands on the border between Bulgap-myeon Yeonggwang-gun and Haebo-myeon Hampeyong-gun in Jeollanam-do Province. Covered with a thick forest, the shape of the mountain gives off a comfortable impression. Bulgapsan Mountain has many temples and shrines such as Sudoam, Yongcheonsa, Yongmunam, Yongunsa, Haebulam and Jeonilam, but Bulgapsa Temple on its northwestern slope is the representative ancient temple.
Bulgapsa Temple is said to have been founded by the Indian monk Maranata in the first year of the reign of King Chimryu of the Baekje Kingdom (AD384), or by the monk Haengeun during the reign of King Munju (reigned for AD475-476) of the Baekje Kingdom, but its definite founding date has not been determined yet. However, it has been proved certain that the temple was renovated extensively in the latter half of the eighth century during the Unified Silla Kingdom era, and the great state monk Gakjinguksa (1270-1355) expanded the scale and influence of the temple, making it widely known to the public. In those prosperous days, there used to be hundreds of monks in the temple and the crop patches and rice paddies of the temple were spread around the temple as far as four kilometers away. Thereafter, the temple was renovated many times.
At Bulgapsa Temple is found the main hall Daeungjeon, which preserves the construction techniques of the late middle Yi Dynasty and afterward, Gakjinguksabi (monument stone for state monk Gakjin), which was built by Yi Dalchung in the 8th year of the reign of King Gongmin (1359) of the Goryeo Dynasty, and major and minor architecture works including Palsangjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, Bogwangjeon Hall, Chilseonggak Shrine, Ilgwangdang Hall, Manseru Hall, Beomjongru Shrine, Hyangrojeon Hall, Sacheonwangmun Gate, Gwansajeong Shrine and Sansingak Shrine.
Various invaluable cultural properties
The main hall Daeungjeon of Bulgapsa Temple is believed to have been built before the 18th century and was nominated as Treasure No. 830 in January, 1985. When the inscribed words "The 29th year of the reign of Chinese Emperor Geonryung (乾隆二十九年)" were discovered on a roof tile of the main hall, Daeungjeon was determined to have been renovated in the 40th year of the reign of King Yeongjo (AD1764) during the Yi Dynasty. The main hall Daeungjeon was built with three blocks in the front wall and three blocks in each of the side walls, and its roof is shaped like the Chinese character eight "八" when seen from the side (the character is called Paljakjibung in Korean). The main hall was built with the Dapo oriental architecture style, with Gongpos, artistic pillar-like wooden pieces supporting the roof. In particular, the tiny stone pagoda resting on ghost-shaped figures attached to the middle ridge of the roof, and Samjonbuldae, inscribed with a bo tree, have distinct figures that cannot be found in any other temple in Korea.
In the Daeungjeon is placed the Bulgapsa-mokjo-samsebul-jwasang (佛甲寺木造三世佛坐像: sitting wooden Buddha statues of Bulgapsa Temple) that was nominated as Treasure No. 1377 in June, 2003. These wooden Samsebuljwasang statues are comprised of three statues: a central statue of Buddha flanked by two other statues, Amitabul (Amitabha) statue on the right and Yaksabul (Bhaisajiyaguru) statue on the left. According to sculpture records of these wooden statues that were found in the body of the wooden statues, the three statues are said to have been sculpted by ten artist monks including the famous artist monk Muyeom and his fellow artist monks, Seungil, Dou and Seongsu, around AD1635. The statues belong to the early masterpieces of Muyeom and provide very important information to evaluate the masterpieces of Muyeom and his fellow artist monks who worked extensively throughout the nation during the Yi Dynasty.
In addition to these artifacts, Bulgapsa Temple has many invaluable cultural properties including the wooden Sacheonwangmun Gate (Tangible Cultural Property No. 159 of Jeollanam-do Province) that was crafted by the great monk Yeongijosa in the middle of the Yi Dynasty, and Manseru Hall (Cultural Material No. 166 of Jeollanam-do Province) that was used as an auditorium for teaching and evangelizing Buddhism.
Nearby Enchanting autumnal attraction with Kkotmureut flowers and colorful leaves
Bulgapsa Temple is also well-known for Chamsiknamu (Neolitsea sericea) trees, which are evergreen wide-leaf trees belonging to Lauraceae that thrive around Bulgapsa Temple, thus earmarking the area as a valuable ecological forest area. Chamsiknamu trees bloom with white yellow flowers in late autumn, and their round fruits become ripe, tinged with a red color, the following autumn. The great state monk Gakjinguksa is said to have planted the Chamsiknamu trees here for the first time, and the trees thrive in groups on the slope of the mountain behind Bulgapsa Temple on land measuring 27,769 square meters. These trees grow up to about 6 meters high. This area is the northernmost part of the Korean peninsula, where Chamsiknamu trees can grow, and it was nominated as Natural Monument No. 112 with the name of "Northernmost area for natural growth of Chamsiknamu in Bulgap-myeon Yeonggwang-gun" in December, 1962. The area is highly valued for studying the distribution of plants in the country.
Around late September, the Bulgapsa Temple area is painted red with fascinating flowers of Kkotmureut (Lycoris radiata). This is the spot where Kkotmureut flowers present the most splendid vista in Korea together with the Yongcheonsa Temple area at Hampyeong, which is located to the south of Bulgapsa Temple. The Korean name for the Kkotmureut flower implies that the flowers bloom in groups. These fantastic flowers bloom like umbrellas spread wide on leafless flower stalks that are 30-50 centimeters high.
When those enchanting Kkotmureut flowers disappear and the autumn turns into late autumn, the colorful autumn leaves decorate the Bugapsa area impressively. However, as there are few visitors here in late autumn when compared to any other well-known tourist spot in Korea, tourists can enjoy the attractive scenery here without being inconvenienced by boisterous crowds of tourists. The sparking colorful leaves in late autumn in the valleys near Bulgapsa Temple will show you a fantastic panorama of autumn attractions framed by the bright yellow leaves of gingko trees. |
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