Daeungjeon Hall of Bulgapsa Temple, Yeonggwang

There are two accounts of Bulgapsa Temple's founding: one holds that it was built in 384, the first year of King Chimnyu of Baekje, by the Indian monk Marananta, and the other that it was founded by the monk Haengeun during the reign of King Mu; the exact date of its founding is not known with certainty. Daeungjeon, the hall enshrining Sakyamuni Buddha, appears to have been built before the 18th century; roof tiles bearing the inscription 'the 29th year of Qianlong' have been found, suggesting that the hall was rebuilt in 1764, the 40th year of King Yeongjo of Joseon. It was later repaired in 1909, the third year of the Yunghui era. The hall measures three bays across the front and three bays to the side, with a paljak roof that, seen from the side, resembles the shape of the character for 'eight' (八). The bracket sets decorating and supporting the eaves are found not only above the columns but also between them, in the dapo style. Small carved stone pagodas and bodhi trees can be seen decorating the upper roof, and dragon heads are carved atop the columns flanking the central bay. The doors of the central bay are fashioned in lotus and chrysanthemum patterns, showing outstanding skill in lattice carving. Inside the hall, dragon heads also decorate the corner bracket sets, and the ceiling is coffered in a grid pattern resembling the character for 'well' (井). As a wooden Buddhist hall of the late Joseon period, richly decorated with patterns and carvings, it preserves the characteristics of its era well and is important material for research.

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Where it is

Region

Yeonggwang, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물