Lecture 1

Korean Temples

Transcript

1. Introduction to Korean Buddhist Temples 2012 Lecture Series - Lecture 1
2. Outline Architecture and Worldview Location, Design, Layout Passing Through the Gates Primary Halls Secondary Halls Other Buildings Pagodas Inside the Halls Art and Symbolism Noteworthy Temples
3. Architecture and Worldview • Expression of worldview from culture • Temples (Complexes) about more than just buildings or visual experience • Create atmosphere conducive to meditation • Cannot use Western perspective
4. Location and Design of Temple Sites • Site is based on principles of geomancy • Nearly all temples built on auspicious sites • Ideal site is mountain basin near water • Buildings are arranged so they are approached in order
5. Temple Layout • Use of wood constrained building size • Complex of multiple smaller buildings • Layout is critical consideration • Architectural significance according to layout, rather than specific building
6. Approaching the Temple • Budo • Iljumun • Cheonwangmun • Burimun
7. Budo - Memorial Stupa • First structure in temple complex • Stone structure • Enshrines ‘sariras’ (relics) of eminent monks • Place to pay homage and arouse faith
8. Passing Through the Gates • Series of gates leading up to main Buddha Hall • Iljumun, Cheonwangmun, Burimun • Provide spiritual preparation
9. Iljumun • “One Pillar” • Front gate • Inscription names temple and mountain • Symbolic of beginning journey towards one mind, first steps into Pure Land
10. Cheonwangmun • “Four Guardians’ Gate” • 2nd gate • 2 guardians on each side • Ferocious faces scare away evil spirits • Guardians defend temple from all four directions
11. Burimun • “Gate of Non-Duality” • 3rd gate at larger temples • Larger than Iljumun • Symbolizes the notion that Pure Land and Saha World are one
12. Primary Buddha Halls • Daeung-jeon • Daejeokgwang-jeon • Muryangsu-jeon
13. Daeung-jeon • “Great Hero” • Main Buddha Hall • Holds Shakyamuni Statue • 3 Platforms - Main Platform - Guardian Platform - Memorial Platform • Courtyard/Pagoda
14. Daejeokgwang-jeon • Hall of “Silence and Light” • Enshrines Vairocana Buddha (Dharma Body) • Triad includes Sakyamuni and Rocana Buddha • Represents Lotus Treasury World
15. Muryangsu-jeon • “Hall of Paradise” • Dedicated to Amitabha • 2nd to Daeungjeon • Triad includes Gwaneum- bosal and Daeseji-bosal • Images face east so worshippers can bow towards Western Paradise
16. Secondary Halls • Gwaneum-jeon • Myeongbu-jeon • Mireuk-jeon • Yaksa-jeon • Nahan-jeon • Palsang-jeon
17. Gwaneum-jeon • Devoted to Avalokitesvara • Also called Wontong-jeon if entire temple is dedicated to worship
18. Myeongbu-jeon • “Dark Place” • Judgement Hall • Enshrines Jijang- bosal • Faces Main Hall from right side
19. Mireuk-jeon • Devoted to Maitreya - the future Buddha of Loving Kindness
20. Yaksa-jeon • Enshrines Bhaisajyaguru • Medicine Buddha • Believers visit when sick • Customarily placed in east
21. Nahan-jeon • Dedicated to the disciples of Buddha • Shakyamuni sits on altar • Surrounded by 500 disciples • Large guardian in entranceway
22. Palsang-jeon • “Eight Scenes from the Life of the Buddha” • Also known as Yeongsan-jeon
23. Other Buildings • Yosachae • Gangdang • Seungdang • Josadang • Samseonggak • Jonggak and Goru
24. Yosachae • Monks’ living quarters • Space for sleeping, eating, and other activities • Usually includes meditation space • Often flank front courtyard • Residential architecture
25. Gangdang • Lecture Hall • Only found in larger temples • Located near Main Buddha Hall • Also used for ceremonies and services
26. Seungdang • “Monks’ Hall” • Meditation and Practice • Also called Seonbang or Seonwon
27. Josadang • Hall of Predecessors • Portraits of founder and deceased senior monks • Combination of Korea’s indigenous ancestral worship and Seon Buddhism
28. Samseonggak • Shrine of the 3 Deities • Not a part of Buddhism • Small Buildings • Dedicated to Indigenous Shamanistic figures
29. Jonggak and Goru • Jonggak (Bell Tower) - Dharma Drum - Wooden Fish - Cloud-Shaped Gong - Brahma Bell • Goru - pavilion that houses drum - faces Jonggak
30. Pagodas • Protect and keep safe Sarira • Usually divided into 3 sections • Body usually has odd number of stories • Made of stone
31. Inside the Halls • Art and Symbols • Images of Buddha • Dancheong
32. Art and Symbols • Buldan/Sumidan • Main Halls symbolizes Lotus Sutra Dharma Assembly on Vulture Peak • Raining Flowers • Datjip “Separate House”
33. Images of Buddha • Categorized according to mudra, attributes, and shape of crown • Seated posture differs according to identity • Distinguish images by hand gesture • Light of Truth
34. Dancheong • “Red and Blue” • Dates back to 4th century • Elaborated in Joseon • Use increased during rebuilds • Lotus Flowers & Fish
35. Noteworthy Temples • As of 2000 892 traditional temples • Jogye Order = 731 • Taego Order = 97 • Bulguk-sa • Haein-sa • Bongjeong-sa • Seonam-sa • Unju-sa • Yongju-sa
36. Learn More! Gyun, Heo. Korean Temple Motifs, Dolbegae Publishers, 2005. Kim, Sung-woo. Buddhist Architecture of Korea, Hollym, 2007.
37. June 2012 State and Sangha: Buddhist Culture and Political Thought in Korea