Daeungbojeon Hall of Magoksa Temple, Gongju

Magoksa Temple is said to have been founded either by the monk Jajang in 640, the ninth year of Queen Seondeok of Silla, or by the Silla monk Museon on his return from Tang China. The temple fell into ruin from the end of the Silla period through the early Goryeo period, and was rebuilt in 1172, the second year of King Myeongjong of Goryeo, by State Preceptor Bojo. It was destroyed again after the Japanese invasions of 1592-98 and lay in ruins for sixty years, until Great Master Gaksun rebuilt the Daeungjeon, Yeongsanjeon and Daejeokgwangjeon Halls in 1651, the second year of King Hyojong of Joseon. Daeungbojeon Hall refers to the hall enshrining the Buddha Sakyamuni; here Sakyamuni is flanked by the Medicine Buddha and Amitabha Buddha. It is said to have been rebuilt when Great Master Gaksun restored the temple in 1651. The building measures five bays across the front and four bays on the side on the ground floor, and three bays by three bays on the upper floor; the roof is a hip-and-gable roof forming the shape of the character "eight" (八) when seen from the side. The bracket structure supporting the eaves is set not only above the columns but also between them, in what is known as the dapo style; lotus flowers are carved on the outward-projecting members, a decorative feature typical of the mid-Joseon period onward. The wooden plaque hanging on the upper floor is said to bear the calligraphy of the renowned Silla calligrapher Kim Saeng. Inside, a well-shaped (jeong, 井) coffered ceiling conceals the roof structure above and is linked to the great beam of the upper floor, and the broad wooden floor gives the interior a spacious, open feel. As a two-storey building of the mid-Joseon period, it is valuable material for the study of architectural history.

AI Translation

Visiting

Opening hours

Open 24 hr

Closed

N/A (Open all year round)

Parking

Available

Information

+82-041-841-6220

Visitor information: Korea Tourism Organization · KOGL Type 1

Where it is

Region

Gongju, Chungnam

Designation

Treasure · 보물