Daejeokgwangjeon Hall of Girimsa Temple, Gyeongju

Girimsa Temple is said to have been founded in 643, the twelfth year of Queen Seondeok of Silla, by the Indian monk Gwangyu, who named it Imjeongsa; it was later rebuilt by the monk Wonhyo, who renamed it Girimsa. The temple is also associated with a legend that it once had an udumbara, a rare medicinal plant said to bloom only once every thousand years. Daejeokgwangjeon Hall refers to the worship hall enshrining Vairocana Buddha, who is said to illuminate the world with the light of wisdom. Built in the time of Queen Seondeok, the hall was repaired on several occasions, and the present building is thought to date from a major renovation in 1629, the seventh year of King Injo. It measures 5 bays across the front and 3 bays along the side, with a gabled roof that forms the shape of the character 人 (person) when viewed from the side. It is built in the dapo style, with decorative bracket clusters supporting the roof eaves placed both above and between the columns. Its exterior is large and powerful, befitting the main worship hall of the temple, while the interior, a relatively spacious area, creates an atmosphere of quiet dignity. The abundant carving on the bracket clusters reflects the architectural trends of the 17th century, and because repairs have been carried out without damaging its original appearance, it serves as important material for research into architectural history.

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Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Treasure · 보물