Buseoksa Temple, Yeongju

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Buseoksa Temple was established in 676 by the Silla monk, Uisang Daesa, centered around the Muryangsujeon Hall, a sacred site of Maitreya worship. Buseoksa is one of the ten temples established by Uisang, known as the 'Hwaeom Ten Temples,' and has been considered the main temple of the Hwaeom school in Korea. Since its founding, it has been preserved by the disciples of Uisang, who passed down his teachings. The temple houses Muryangsujeon Hall, the second oldest wooden building in Korea, after the Geungnakjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong. Muryangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple: As the main building of Buseoksa, it enshrines theAMitabha Buddha, symbolizing the Western Pure Land. Behind Muryangsujeon is a rock engraved with ‘Buseok (Floating Stone),’ which is associated with a legend from the ‘Song of the High Priest. ’ This building is the second oldest wooden structure in Korea, following Geungnakjeon Hall of Bongjeongsa Temple, and is crucial for studying ancient temple architecture. Clay Seated Buddha of Buseoksa Temple: Housed in Muryangsujeon, this clay Buddha statue is the largest and oldest of its kind in Korea. The statue's light-emitting halo, made separately from wood, is adorned with flame patterns along its edges. The head and body halos are circular and intricately decorated with floral patterns, with traces of small Buddha figures once attached to them. Stone Lantern in front of Muryangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple: This stone lantern, from the Unified Silla period, stands before Muryangsujeon Hall and is also known as ‘Gwangmyeongdeung (Light Lantern),’ symbolizing the Buddha's light. Such lanterns are typically placed in front of important structures like the main hall or a pagoda. The lantern consists of a fire chamber stone at its center, supported by a three-tiered pedestal at the bottom and capped with a roof stone and finial at the top.