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Bongeunsa () is a
Buddhist Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and ...
temple located in Samseong-dong,
Gangnam-gu Gangnam District ( ; , ) is one of the 25 local government districts which make up the city of Seoul, South Korea. Gangnam translates to "South of the ( Han) River". Gangnam District is the third largest district in Seoul, with an area of ...
in
Seoul Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the Capital city, capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the North Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea ...
,
South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
. It was founded in 794 during the reign of King Wonseong by State Preceptor Yeonhoe (), then the highest ranking monk of
Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms o ...
. The temple was originally named Gyeonseongsa (). It is located on the slope of Sudo Mountain, across the street from the
COEX Mall Starfield COEX Mall (formerly known as COEX Mall), containing COnvention centers, EXhibition halls and many malls, is an underground shopping mall in Gangnam-gu Seoul, South Korea. It has an area of about , of which are on a single underground ...
.


History


Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...

During the
Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and r ...
,
Buddhism in Korea Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what its early practitioners saw as inconsistencies within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions that they received from foreign countries. To address this, the ...
was severely suppressed. However, The temple began to be known as Bongeunsa when it was reconstructed in 1498 under the patronage of Queen Jeonghyeon, a Joseon Queen. The term Bongeunsa means the act of honoring the king, which here can be understood as taking the form of praying for king Seongjong's eternal life. With the support of
Queen Munjeong Queen Munjeong (Hangul: 문정왕후, Hanja: 文定王后; 2 December 1501 – 5 May 1565), of the Papyeong Yun clan, was a posthumous name bestowed to the wife and third queen consort of Yi Yeok, King Jungjong. She was queen consort of Joseon ...
, who revived Buddhism in
Korea Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic ...
for a short time in the mid-16th century, it became the main temple of the Korean Seon (Chan) sect of Buddhism from 1551 through 1936. Monk Bou was appointed head of the temple in 1548 by Queen Munjeong but was killed soon afterwards as the anti-Buddhist factions regained dominance in Korea towards the end of Queen Munjeong's rule. From 1552 to 1564, Bongeunsa was the center of the Buddhist National Exam.


Korean Empire The Korean Empire () was a Korean monarchical state proclaimed in October 1897 by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon dynasty. The empire stood until Japan's annexation of Korea in August 1910. During the Korean Empire, Emperor Gojong oversaw the Gwan ...
to Japanese Occupation

Bongeunsa was made one of the Korean Empire's 14 major temples in 1902. During the Japanese occupation, the temple became the headquarters of 80 smaller Buddhist temples around Seoul. In 1922 and 1929, Head Monk Cheongho saved over 700 people from drowning in the Han River, an act that inspired a monument of recognition. After colonial rule, Bongeunsa became subordinate to the Jogye Order, the largest Buddhist sect in Korea.


Destruction and Reconstruction

A fire in 1939 destroyed most of the buildings, and other parts of the temple were destroyed during the
Korean War {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Korean War , partof = the Cold War and the Korean conflict , image = Korean War Montage 2.png , image_size = 300px , caption = Clockwise from top:{ ...
. Fortunately, Panjeon (), one of the very few halls which escaped destruction during the Korean War, continues to hold the woodblock carvings of the Flower Garland Sutra created in 1855 by Monk Yeonggi. The temple has undergone many repairs and renovations and is now once again a large, thriving complex. The reconstruction efforts are ongoing even today.


Tourism

The temple is a notable tourist destination, offering a Temple Stay program in which visitors can experience the life of a monk. Participants can experience various traditions linked with the temple's history. They can experience ''baru gongyang'' (), a Buddhist temple meal using a ''baru'' (), which is a rice bowl used by monks. The area on the main street from the temple to Park Hyatt Hotel has a large concentration of vegetarian and other upscale restaurants that serve Korean cuisine with a modern twist.


Gallery

File:Bongeunsa Jinyeomun Main Gate.jpg, Jinyeomun, the main gate File:Korea-Seoul-Bongeunsa-20.jpg File:Korea-Seoul-Bongeunsa-10.jpg File:COEX as seen from Bongeunsa temple.jpg File:Bongeunsa parking lot.jpg, Parking Lot File:Steles at Bongeunsa.jpg, Steles File:Bongeunsa Yeonhoeru(Yeonhoedawon).jpg, Tea house File:Haesu Gwanseum-bosal.jpg,
Avalokiteśvara In Buddhism, Avalokiteśvara (Sanskrit: अवलोकितेश्वर, IPA: ) is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. He has 108 avatars, one notable avatar being Padmapāṇi (lotus bearer). He is variably depicted, ...
File:Bongeunsa Beopwangnu side view.jpg, Beobwangnu File:Bongeunsa Beopwangnu back.jpg, Beobwangnu File:Bongeunsa Beopwangnu with Trade Tower.jpg, Beobwangnu File:Bongeunsa a1.jpg, the
Maitreya Maitreya (Sanskrit: ) or Metteyya (Pali: ), also Maitreya Buddha or Metteyya Buddha, is regarded as the future Buddha of this world in Buddhist eschatology. As the 5th and final Buddha of the current kalpa, Maitreya's teachings will be aimed a ...
at night File:Bongeun Temple near Buddha's Birthday, Seoul.2.jpg File:Bongeun Temple near Buddha's Birthday, Seou.jpg File:Bongeunsa Jijangjeon.jpg, Jijangjeon File:Bongeunsa Seonbuldang.jpg, Seonbuldang File:Korea-Seoul-Bongeunsa-36.jpg File:Bongeunsa pagoda and stone lantern.jpg, Pagoda and stone lantern File:Bongeunsa architecture.jpg, Buildings File:Bongeunsa Old Belfry view.jpg, View from old belfry File:Bongeunsa dance.jpg, dancing performance at the Temple File:Bongeunsa Buddha Birthday.jpg, lanterns at the Temple during Buddha's birthday in 2007 File:Bongeunsa behind buddha.jpg, View of skyline from Bongeunsa File:Lanternes temple.jpg, Lanterns at Bongeunsa Temple File:Plafond temple Bongeunsa.jpg, Ceiling


See also

* List of Buddhist temples in Seoul *
Korean Buddhism Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what its early practitioners saw as inconsistencies within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions that they received from foreign countries. To address this, the ...
*
Korean architecture Korean architecture () refers to an architectural style that developed over centuries in Korea. Throughout the history of Korea, various kingdoms and royal dynasties have developed a unique style of architecture with influences from Buddhism and ...
* Korean Buddhist temples *
Japanese occupation of Korea Between 1910 and 1945, Korea was ruled as a part of the Empire of Japan. Joseon Korea had come into the Japanese sphere of influence with the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876; a complex coalition of the Meiji government, military, and business off ...


References


External links


Bongeunsa
(Official site)
Asian Historical Architecture: Bongeunsa Temple
{{Coord, 37, 30, 56, N, 127, 03, 26, E, display=title, region:KR_type:landmark_source:dewiki Buddhist temples in Seoul Buildings and structures in Gangnam District Silla Buddhist temples of the Jogye Order