1. Korean Buddhist Heart - BULGUKSA (불국사) Professor: Heather A
Korean Buddhist Heart - BULGUKSA (불국사) Professor: Heather A. Willoughby Student: Huynh Thu Thao

2. CONTENTS Introduction and History Structure
Official Treasures at Bulguksa
3.1. National Treasures No.20 and 21
3.2. National Treasure No.22
3.3. National Treasure No.23
3.4. National Treasure No.26
3.5. National Treasure No.27
3.6. National Treasure No.61
4. Meanings

3. 1. Introduction and History
A Buddhist temple in the North Gyeongsang province in South Korea.
Home to seven National treasures of South Korea.
Classified as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1 by the South Korean government.
Being added to the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Seokguram Grotto, which lies four kilometers to the east, in 1995.
Being considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom.
Currently the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

4. 1.2. History
A small temple was built on this site under King Beopheung in 528.
The current temple was constructed under King Gyeongdeok in 751, begun by Prime Minister Kim Daeseong to pacify the spirits of his parents.
The building was completed in 774 given its current name Bulguksa (Temple of the Buddha Land).

5. Being renovated during the Goryeo Dynasty and the early Joseon Dynasty.
Being burned to the ground During the Japanese invasions between 1592 and 1598.
After 1604, reconstruction and expansion of Bulguksa started until 1805.
During the Japanese occupation of , the Japanese conducted a restoration (no records).
After World War II and the Korean War, a partial restoration was conducted in 1966.
Major restoration was conducted between 1969 and 1973 by the order of President Park Chung Hee, bringing Bulguksa to its current form.

6. 2. Structure

7. The temple is located on the slopes of Tohamsan, in Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju.
Sokgyemun
Cheongungyo (청운교-Blue Cloud Bridge) + Baegungyo (백운교-White Cloud Bridge)
Jahamun (자하문-Mauve Mist Gate).
Seokgatap (석가탑-Sakyamuni Pagoda) + Dabotap (다보답-Many Treasure Pagoda)
Daeungjeon (대웅전), the Hall of Great Enlightenment
Seven Treasure Bridge Chilbogyo (칠보교)
Museoljeon (무설전), the Hall of No Words
The Gwaneumjeon (Avalokitesvara's Shrine, 관음전)
Birojeon (Vairocana Buddha Hall, 비로전)
Geuknakjeon (Hall of Supreme Bliss, 극락전)

8. 대웅전- 무설전 - 나한전

9. 관음전 – 극락전 - 비로전

10. 범영루 – 안양문 - 일주문

11. 자하문 – 천왕문

12. 증장천왕과 광목천왕-지국천왕과 다문천왕

13. 사천왕상

14. 3. Official treasures at Bulguksa
3.1. National Treasures No.20 and 21: Dabotap and Seokgatap
Dabotap
Dabotap (Many Treasure Pagoda) is 10.4 meters tall and dedicated to the Many Treasures Buddha mentioned in the Lotus Sutra.
Being known for its highly ornate structure. Its image is reproduced on the South Korean 10 won coin.
Dabotap is a far more complex design, a unique creation.

15. Seokgatap
- Being over 13 centuries old, 8.2 meter high and is a traditional Korean-style stone pagoda with simple lines and minimal detailing.
- Being ringed by eight stones shaped like lotus flowers, perhaps symbolizing the eight lotus flowers that fell from heaven as prophesied in the Lotus Sutra.
The complexity of the Dabotap is balanced by the simplicity of the Seokgatap.
 The legend of Asadal:

16. 삼층석탑(무영탑) – 영지 연못

19. 3.2. National Treasure No.22: Yeonhwagyo (Lotus Flower Bridge, 연화교) and Chilbogyo (Seven Treasures Bridge, 칠보교)
Being designated as the 22nd national treasure on December 20, 1962.
Sharing the 45 degree incline, arch underneath, and the combination bridge/staircase design of their brother bridges.
Being known for its delicate carvings of Lotus Flowers on each step but these have faded with the weight of many pilgrims.

20. 3.3. National Treasure No.23: Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge, 청운교) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge, 백운교)
Being built in 750 CE during the reign of King Gyeongdeok.
Being designated as the 23rd national treasure on December 20, 1962.
. There are 33 steps on the stairway, which slopes at a 45 degree angle, and each step corresponds to one of the 33 heavens of Buddhism. (The lower Blue Cloud Bridge has seventeen steps while the upper White Cloud Bridge has sixteen.)

21. 3.4. National Treasure No.26: Vairocana Buddha statue – 불국사 금동비로좌나붕좌상)
A seated gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha statue at Bulguksa Temple and designated on December 20, 1962.
1.77 meters in height and made from gilt-bronze.

22. 3.5. National Treasure No.27: Amitabha Buddha statue (금동아미타여래좌상)
Being designated on December 20, 1962.
1.66 meters in height and enshrined in Geuknakjeon.
This gilt-bronze statue was probably cast in the late eighth or early part of the ninth century and it shares the style of National Treasure No.26.

23. 3.6. Treasure No.61: Sarira pagoda (사리탑)
2.1 meters tall and is located at the left side of the front garden of Birojeon.
It is from the Goryeo Dynasty, but shows the influence of Silla Dynasty art.
A sarira is a container for the relics or remains of famous priests or royalty.

24. 4. Meanings
The complexity of the pagoda is representative of the complexity of the universe.
The open-air chamber within the pagoda probably once contained an image of the Buddha (in the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha sits inside the tower next to Many Treasures Buddha).
One of the most creative masterpieces in old Asia.