Eungjindang Hall of Mihwangsa Temple, Haenam

Mihwangsa Temple, nestled at the foot of Dalmasan Mountain, is the southernmost temple on the Korean mainland. According to the temple's history stele, it was first built in 749, the eighth year of King Gyeongdeok of Unified Silla. It later burned down entirely during the Japanese invasions of 1592–98, and the present Eungjindang Hall was built in 1751, the 27th year of King Yeongjo. "Eungjin" is another name for the Buddha, while arhats (nahan) are sages who have attained enlightenment through spiritual practice. Eungjindang Hall is also known as Nahanjeon Hall, and such halls usually enshrine sixteen or five hundred arhats. At Mihwangsa's Eungjindang Hall, the Sixteen Arhats are depicted in paintings on the inner walls. The building measures three bays across the front and two bays deep, with a hip-and-gable roof that forms the shape of the character "eight" (八) when viewed from the side. The bracket sets supporting the roof eaves are arranged in the dapo style, set both above the columns and between them. The tops of the columns bear carved decoration, features that clearly show the stylistic characteristics of the late Joseon period.

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Where it is

Region

Haenam, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Treasure · 보물