Geumgang River Gate of Ssanggyesa Temple, Hadong

Ssanggyesa Temple stands on the southern slopes of Jirisan Mountain. It was founded in 723, the twenty-third year of King Seongdeok of Unified Silla, by the monk Sambeop, and rebuilt in 840, the second year of King Munseong, by State Preceptor Jingam. It was originally called Okcheonsa Temple, but its name was changed to Ssanggyesa during the reign of King Jeonggang (r. 886–887). It burned down during the Imjin War (the Japanese invasions of 1592–1598) and was rebuilt in 1632, the tenth year of King Injo of Joseon, by the monk Byeogam, in the form it retains today. The Geumgang River Gate is the gate passed through after the Iljumun (One Pillar Gate); together with the Cheonwangmun (Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings), it marks the space of entry into the temple, symbolising the protection of the Buddhist teaching and the washing away of worldly impurity. It enshrines the Geumgang Yeoksa, guardian deities who protect Buddhism and punish evil: to the left of the gate stands Miljeok Geumgang, who always attends the Buddha, and to the right stands Narayeon Geumgang. The Geumgang River Gate of Ssanggyesa was built in 840, the second year of King Munseong of Silla, by State Preceptor Jingam, rebuilt in 1641, the nineteenth year of King Injo, by Seon Master Byeogam, and the present building was last repaired in 1979. It is a single-storey structure of three bays across the front and two bays in depth, with a simple gabled roof whose side resembles the character 人 (person). The central bay is left open as a passageway, while the two end bays are enclosed by walls and house the Geumgang Yeoksa. In front of the gate hangs a wooden plaque reading "Geumgangmun", written by the monk Byeogam. Overall, the Geumgang River Gate of Ssanggyesa is built with somewhat small structural members, giving it a slender, delicate impression.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hadong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Tangible Heritage · 시도유형문화유산