Geungnakjeon Hall of Muryangsa Temple, Buyeo

Muryangsa Temple was founded by Master Beomil at the end of the Silla period and has undergone several rounds of construction, though the exact dates are not recorded. It is said that the eminent late-Silla monk Master Muyeom stayed here for a time, that the temple was extensively rebuilt during the Goryeo period, and that Kim Si-seup spent his final years at this temple before passing away here. This building, the central hall of Muryangsa Temple, is a two-storey Buddhist hall, a form not commonly found in Korea. Although it appears to have two storeys from the outside, the interior is not divided between upper and lower floors but is open as a single space. The ground-floor plan has five bays across the front and four bays on the side, marked out by very tall pillars. On the upper floor these same tall pillars continue upward to form the wall pillars on all four sides. The small area of low wall space originally held windows to let in light, but these have since been blocked with wooden panelling. Enshrining a triad of Amitabha Buddha images, this hall is an outstanding building of considerable importance as Buddhist architecture, clearly displaying the stylistic features of the mid-Joseon period.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Buyeo, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물