Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju

Bulguksa Temple, set on Tohamsan Mountain in Gyeongju, was begun in 751, the tenth year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla, by the chief minister of the time, Kim Dae-seong, and completed in 774, the tenth year of King Hyegong. In 1593, the 26th year of King Seonjo of Joseon, most of its buildings were burned down during the Japanese invasions. Only a few structures, including Geungnakjeon Hall, Jahamun Gate and Beomyeongnu Pavilion, survived to carry on the temple's line, and the temple was given its present form after excavation work carried out from 1969 to 1973 was followed by restoration. Within the temple grounds stand the Unified Silla-period Dabotap Pagoda and the three-storey stone pagoda known as Seokgatap, the Cheongungyo and Baegungyo bridges leading up to Jahamun Gate, and the Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo bridges leading up to Geungnakjeon Hall, all designated and preserved as national treasures. These items of cultural heritage give a glimpse of the outstanding stone-working skill of the Silla people of the time. In addition, numerous items of cultural heritage, including the gilt-bronze seated Vairocana Buddha enshrined in Birojeon Hall and the gilt-bronze seated Amitabha Buddha enshrined in Geungnakjeon Hall, recall the brilliant Buddhist culture of the period. In recognition of this value, the temple was inscribed, together with Seokguram Grotto, on the World Heritage list in December 1995.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk

Designation

Historic Site · 사적