Visit Bulguksa Temple on Tohamsan Mountain, Gyeongju! Explore ancient architecture, see National Treasures like the Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas, and enjoy the scenic beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t miss the Cheongungyo and Baegungyo bridges, and discover Korea’s rich Buddhist heritage.
Bulguksa (불국사 佛國寺) is a Buddhist temple located on Tohamsan Mountain in Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
It is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and houses six National Treasures, including the Dabotap (다보탑 多寶塔) and Seokgatap (석가탑 釋迦塔) stone pagodas, Cheongun-gyo (청운교 靑雲橋, Blue Cloud Bridge), and two gilt-bronze Buddha statues. The South Korean government has designated the temple as Historic and Scenic Site No. 1. In 1995, Bulguksa and the nearby Seokguram Grotto were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The temple is considered a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla (신라 新羅) kingdom. It is currently the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
One of the earliest woodblock prints in the world, a version of the Dharani Sutra (다라니경 陀羅尼經) dated between 704 and 751, was discovered there in 1966. This Buddhist text was printed on a scroll of mulberry paper measuring 8 cm × 630 cm (3.1 in × 248.0 in).
Korea Heritage Service : Click on this link to see the relics of Bulguksa Temple.
History of Bulguksa
Three Kingdoms Period
- 528 (15th year of King Beopheung of Silla): Bulguksa was founded by Lady Yeongje, the mother of King Beopheung (법흥왕 法興王).
- 574 (35th year of King Jinheung of Silla): The temple was rebuilt by Lady Jiso, the mother of King Jinheung (진흥왕 眞興王). During this time, statues of Vairocana Buddha and Amitabha Buddha were created and enshrined.
- 670 (10th year of King Munmu of Unified Silla): Mujeoljeon Hall was built to teach the Avatamsaka Sutra.
Unified Silla Period
- 751 (10th year of King Gyeongdeok of Unified Silla): The temple underwent a major expansion initiated by Kim Daeseong (김대성 金大成), a prominent minister. He built structures such as the Seokgatap (석가탑 釋迦塔) and Dabotap (다보탑 多寶塔) pagodas, and stone bridges like Cheongun-gyo (청운교 靑雲橋) and Baegun-gyo (백운교 白雲橋), giving the temple its current appearance. The expansion was dedicated to his parents in this life, while Seokguram (석굴암 石窟庵), originally called Seokbulsa (석불사 石佛寺), was dedicated to his parents from a previous life.
- 774 (10th year of King Hyegong): After Kim Daeseong’s death, the Silla government completed the grand reconstruction of Bulguksa, turning it into a large temple complex with 80 buildings and about 2,000 rooms.
Joseon Dynasty
- Before the Imjin War: Records such as Donggyeong Yurok (동경유록) and Ganjaejip (간재집) noted that about 1,000 buildings remained.
- May 1593 (23rd year of King Seonjo): The Japanese General Katō Kiyomasa set fire to and destroyed Bulguksa, reducing it to ashes.
- 1604 (37th year of King Seonjo): Reconstruction began after the damage from the Imjin War.
- 1765 (41st year of King Yeongjo): Daeungjeon Hall was rebuilt.
- 1779 (3rd year of King Jeongjo): The temple was renovated with support from the Confucian scholars of Gyeongju.
- 1805 (5th year of King Sunjo): The final touches to the 40 previous partial restorations were completed with the rebuilding of the Birojeon Hall. However, as the Joseon Dynasty declined, so did the fortunes of Bulguksa, leading to the destruction of many buildings and the theft of treasures.
Japanese Colonial Period
- 1918-1925: The Dabotap and Daeungjeon were restored, but some artifacts, including parts of the Dabotap, were taken to Japan.
Republic of Korea
- 1969-1973: A major restoration project, costing 800 million KRW, was undertaken to restore the corridors and railings.
Bulguksa is a significant historical and cultural site that showcases the rich heritage of Korean Buddhism and the artistic achievements of the Silla period. It stands as a testament to Korea’s enduring spiritual and cultural legacy.
Structure of Bulguksa
The entrance to Bulguksa, Sokgyemun (석계문 石階門), features a double-sectioned staircase and bridge (National Treasure No. 23) that leads into the temple compound. This stairway has 33 steps, symbolizing the 33 steps to enlightenment. The lower portion, Cheongungyo (청운교 靑雲橋, Blue Cloud Bridge), is 6.3 meters long with 17 steps, while the upper portion, Baegungyo (백운교 白雲橋, White Cloud Bridge), is 5.4 meters long with 16 steps. This stairway leads to Jahamun (자하문 紫霞門, Mauve Mist Gate).
Unusually, the temple has two pagodas. Seokgatap (석가탑 釋迦塔, Sakyamuni Pagoda) is a traditional Korean three-story stone pagoda standing 8.2 meters tall. It has simple lines and minimal detailing and is over 13 centuries old. Dabotap (다보탑 多寶塔, Many Treasure Pagoda), at 10.4 meters tall, is dedicated to the Many Treasures Buddha mentioned in the Lotus Sutra. Unlike Seokgatap, Dabotap is highly ornate. Its image is on the South Korean 10 won coin. Dabotap and Seokgatap are Korean National Treasures Nos. 20 and 21, respectively.
Bulguksa represents both terrestrial and celestial abodes: the terrestrial with the Shakyamuni Buddha and the Lotus Sutra, and the celestial with the Amitabha Buddha and the Avatamsaka Sutra. The temple complex is centered on two main courts. One court is centered around Daeungjeon (대웅전 大雄殿, Hall of Great Enlightenment), housing the Shakyamuni Buddha. The other court is centered around Geungnakjeon (극락전 極樂殿, Hall of Supreme Bliss), where the Seven Treasure Bridge (Chilbogyo) is located.
Daeungjeon is the main hall of the temple. Dabotap and Seokgatap stand in front of this hall. The hall, first built in 681, enshrines the Shakyamuni Buddha. Behind Daeungjeon is Museoljeon (무설전 無說殿, Hall of No Words), named from the belief that Buddha’s teachings cannot be conveyed by words alone. This hall, one of the oldest buildings, was likely first constructed in 670.
Gwaneumjeon (관음전 觀音殿, Avalokitesvara’s Shrine) houses an image of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Perfect Compassion, and stands at the highest point of the temple complex. Birojeon (비로전 毘盧殿, Vairocana Buddha Hall) is located below Gwaneumjeon and houses National Treasure No. 26. Near the main compound is Geungnakjeon, which houses the gilt-bronze Buddha, National Treasure No. 27.
Bulguksa is a remarkable site that encapsulates the essence of Korean Buddhist art and architecture from the Silla period.
Seokgatap and Dabotap
Seokgatap and Dabotap are two pagodas at Bulguksa that illustrate the teachings from the “Lotus Sutra” (법화경, 法華經). Specifically, they represent the “Seen Treasures” chapter, which describes the Buddha Many Treasures (Dabotathagata, 다보여래, 多寶如來) emerging from the earth in a stupa to praise Shakyamuni Buddha (석가모니, 釋迦牟尼), and then sitting beside him.
The pagodas also depict a scene from the “Universal Gate” chapter of the “Lotus Sutra,” where the Bodhisattva Infinite Intention (무진의보살, 無盡意菩薩) offers a necklace to Avalokitesvara (관세음보살, 觀世音菩薩). Avalokitesvara then splits the necklace, offering one half to Shakyamuni Buddha and the other half to the stupa of Many Treasures. This act symbolizes the unity of the two Buddhas in the Lotus Sutra’s teachings.
Seokgatap
Seokgatap symbolizes Shakyamuni Buddha. The “Records of Bulguksa” (불국사 사적기) describe Seokgatap as the “Pagoda of the Everlasting Teaching of Shakyamuni” (석가여래상주설법탑, 釋迦如來常住說法塔). Seokgatap is also known as the “Shadowless Pagoda” (무영탑, 無影塔) due to a legend involving a craftsman named Asadal and his wife Asanyeo, related to a pond named “Shadow Pond” (영지, 影池).
Dabotap
Dabotap symbolizes Many Treasures Buddha. According to the “Records of Bulguksa,” it is called the “Pagoda of the Everlasting Proof of Many Treasures” (다보여래상주증명탑, 多寶如來常住證明塔). Dabotap is known for its intricate and ornate design, contrasting with the simpler lines of Seokgatap.
These pagodas are not only significant architectural structures but also embody deep spiritual and symbolic meanings from the Lotus Sutra, highlighting the unity and reverence of the Buddhas in Buddhist teachings.
Cheongungyo and Baegungyo
Cheongungyo (청운교, 靑雲橋) and Baegungyo (백운교, 白雲橋) are stone bridges and staircases from the Unified Silla period, designated as National Treasure No. 23. Originally, Bulguksa (불국사, 佛國寺) was surrounded by water from Mount Toham (토함산, 吐含山), creating a lake around the temple. Visitors would arrive by boat, tie it to Baegungyo, and then enter the temple. Although the water is no longer collected, traces of this setup remain, including a large drainage system to the left of the temple.
Cheongungyo and Baegungyo
Climbing Cheongungyo and Baegungyo leads to Jahamun (자하문, 紫霞門), which symbolizes the entrance to the worldly realm of Shakyamuni Buddha (석가모니, 釋迦牟尼). This staircase represents the journey from the earthly world to the Buddha.
Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo
To the right, there are two more bridges: Yeonhwagyo (연화교, 蓮華橋) and Chilbogyo (칠보교, 七寶橋). Yeonhwagyo is the lower bridge, and Chilbogyo is the upper bridge. Climbing these bridges leads to Anyangmun (안양문, 安養門) and the Hall of Supreme Bliss (극락전, 極樂殿), which houses the Amitabha Buddha (아미타여래, 阿彌陀如來). These bridges symbolize the path to the Pure Land, representing the afterlife. Unlike Cheongungyo and Baegungyo, they are mainly symbolic and not used by visitors due to their smaller size.
Beomyeongnu
Located between the four bridges is Beomyeongnu (범영루, 梵英樓), originally housing the temple’s bell. The bell now resides in a separate belfry.
Birojeon
Birojeon (비로전, 毘盧殿) houses the Vairocana Buddha (비로자나불, 毘盧遮那佛) statue, which was created and enshrined by Queen Jiso, the mother of King Jinheung (진흥왕, 眞興王).
Birojeon Saritap
In the early 20th century, a Japanese architect named Sekino Tadashi studied Bulguksa and wrote about it, calling the Saritap (사리탑, 舍利塔) the finest stone lantern in Korea. Unfortunately, in 1905, the Saritap was illegally taken to Japan. It was later discovered in the garden of a Japanese businessman and returned to Bulguksa in 1933. The restoration was completed in the 1970s.
Hall of Supreme Bliss (Geungnakjeon)
Geungnakjeon (극락전, 極樂殿) houses a statue of Amitabha Buddha, which was also created and enshrined by Queen Jiso.
Wooden Pig Statue
In 2007, a tourist discovered a wooden pig statue hidden under the eaves of Geungnakjeon. Now, a golden pig statue stands in front of Geungnakjeon for good luck.
Gwaneumjeon
Gwaneumjeon (관음전, 觀音殿) was first built in 751 by the Prime Minister Kim Daeseong (김대성, 金大成). Though it underwent several reconstructions, it was rebuilt in its current form in 1973.
Nahanjeon
Nahanjeon (나한전, 羅漢殿) houses statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and his sixteen disciples, known as the Sixteen Arhats (십육나한, 十六羅漢).
Museoljeon
Museoljeon (무설전, 無說殿), the Hall of No Words, was originally a lecture hall for Buddhist scriptures. It signifies that the essence of Buddha’s teachings cannot be fully expressed in words. It dates back to 670 when the monk Uisang first taught there.
Cheonwangmun and Banyayeonji
Cheonwangmun (천왕문, 天王門) is the gate guarded by the Four Heavenly Kings (사천왕, 四天王), who protect the Buddhist law. Banyayeonji (반야연지, 般若蓮池) is a lotus pond located in front of Cheonwangmun.
Belfry (Beomjonggak) and Flagpole Supports (Dangganjiju)
The temple’s bell was originally in Beomyeongnu. Now it resides in a separate belfry called Beomjonggak (범종각, 梵鐘閣). The flagpole supports (당간지주, 幢竿支柱) were used to hold banners during ceremonies. These supports are tall and made of stone, keeping the flagpoles steady.