Buddhist temples in Korea

Apr 20, 2026 - 16:31
0 0
Buddhist temples in Korea

North Korea: add ref

← Previous revision Revision as of 11:00, 20 April 2026
Line 3: Line 3:
[[Buddhist temples]], called ''jeol'' (절), ''sachal'' ({{Korean|hangul=사찰|hanja=寺刹}}), or ''garam'' ({{Korean|hangul=가람|hanja=伽藍|labels=no}}) in Korean, are an important part of the Korean landscape. The first Buddhist temples of Korea are Chomunsa ({{Korean|hangul=초문사|hanja=肖門寺|labels=no}}) and Ibullansa ({{Korean|hangul=이불란사|hanja=伊弗蘭寺|labels=no}}) built in 375.{{Cite news |date=2008-05-26 |title=불교 최초의 사찰은 |url=https://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=51410 |work=Beopbo Sinmun}}
[[Buddhist temples]], called ''jeol'' (절), ''sachal'' ({{Korean|hangul=사찰|hanja=寺刹}}), or ''garam'' ({{Korean|hangul=가람|hanja=伽藍|labels=no}}) in Korean, are an important part of the Korean landscape. The first Buddhist temples of Korea are Chomunsa ({{Korean|hangul=초문사|hanja=肖門寺|labels=no}}) and Ibullansa ({{Korean|hangul=이불란사|hanja=伊弗蘭寺|labels=no}}) built in 375.{{Cite news |date=2008-05-26 |title=불교 최초의 사찰은 |url=https://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=51410 |work=Beopbo Sinmun}}


Most Korean temples have names ending in ''-sa'' ({{Korean|hangul=사|hanja=寺|labels=no}}), which means "monastery" in [[Sino-Korean vocabulary|Sino-Korean]]. Small temples attached to larger temples have names ending in ''-am'' ({{Korean|hangul=암|hanja=庵|labels=no}}).{{Cite news |last=Jang |first=Yeong-seop |date=2015-11-05 |title=‘사’는 절의 일반 명칭…‘암’은 큰 절에 딸린 작은 절 |url=https://www.ibulgyo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=144623 |work=Bulgyo Sinmun}}
Most Korean temples have names ending in ''-sa'' ({{Korean|hangul=사|hanja=寺|labels=no}}), which means "monastery" in [[Sino-Korean vocabulary|Sino-Korean]]. Small temples attached to larger temples have names ending in ''-am'' ({{Korean|hangul=암|hanja=庵|labels=no}}). name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Jang |first=Yeong-seop |date=2015-11-05 |title=‘사’는 절의 일반 명칭…‘암’은 큰 절에 딸린 작은 절 |url=https://www.ibulgyo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=144623 |work=Bulgyo Sinmun}}


== Historical background ==
== Historical background ==
Line 9: Line 9:
In 372 (2nd year of the reign of [[Sosurim of Goguryeo|King Sosurim]]), [[Goguryeo]] adopted Buddhism from [[Former Qin]]. In 384 (first year of the reign of [[King Chimnyu]]), [[Baekje]] adopted Buddhism from [[Eastern Jin]]. Through the [[martyrdom]] of [[Ichadon]] in 527 (14th year of the reign of [[Beopheung of Silla|King Beopheung]]), Buddism was popularized in [[Silla]].{{Cite news |last=Cho |first=Gyeong-cheol |date=2007-10-27 |title=41. 한국의 불교수용 |url=https://www.ibulgyo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=83699 |work=Bulgyo Sinmun}} The first Buddhist temple in Silla is Heungnyunsa ({{Korean|hangul=흥륜사|hanja=興輪寺|labels=no}}).{{Cite web |last=Jeong |first=Byeong-jo |date=2022-11-29 |title=절 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0049782 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]}}
In 372 (2nd year of the reign of [[Sosurim of Goguryeo|King Sosurim]]), [[Goguryeo]] adopted Buddhism from [[Former Qin]]. In 384 (first year of the reign of [[King Chimnyu]]), [[Baekje]] adopted Buddhism from [[Eastern Jin]]. Through the [[martyrdom]] of [[Ichadon]] in 527 (14th year of the reign of [[Beopheung of Silla|King Beopheung]]), Buddism was popularized in [[Silla]].{{Cite news |last=Cho |first=Gyeong-cheol |date=2007-10-27 |title=41. 한국의 불교수용 |url=https://www.ibulgyo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=83699 |work=Bulgyo Sinmun}} The first Buddhist temple in Silla is Heungnyunsa ({{Korean|hangul=흥륜사|hanja=興輪寺|labels=no}}).{{Cite web |last=Jeong |first=Byeong-jo |date=2022-11-29 |title=절 |url=https://encykorea.aks.ac.kr/Article/E0049782 |website=[[Encyclopedia of Korean Culture]]}}


In [[Unified Silla]], Buddhism was promoted nationally and divided into various sects. The number of [[Sansa (temple)|sansa]] increased to combine nature and Buddhism. Bells such as [[Bell of King Seongdeok]] were made in the mid 8th century.{{Cite web |title=사원 건축(목조) |url=https://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/nh/view.do?levelId=nh_009_0060_0050_0050_0010 |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=Uriyeoksanet}}
In [[Unified Silla]], Buddhism was promoted nationally and divided into various sects. The number of [[Sansa (temple)|sansa]] increased to combine nature and Buddhism. Bells such as [[Bell of King Seongdeok]] were made in the mid 8th century. name=":1">{{Cite web |title=사원 건축(목조) |url=https://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/nh/view.do?levelId=nh_009_0060_0050_0050_0010 |access-date=2026-04-09 |website=Uriyeoksanet}}


[[Goryeo]] promoted policies that revere Buddhism and treat monks preferentially.{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Yeon-sik |title=승정 제도의 정비 |url=https://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/km/view.do?levelId=km_011_0050_0010_0010_0020 |website=Uriyeoksanet|access-date=2026-04-09}}
[[Goryeo]] promoted policies that revere Buddhism and treat monks preferentially.{{Cite web |last=Choi |first=Yeon-sik |title=승정 제도의 정비 |url=https://contents.history.go.kr/mobile/km/view.do?levelId=km_011_0050_0010_0010_0020 |website=Uriyeoksanet|access-date=2026-04-09}}
Line 57: Line 57:


==North Korea==
==North Korea==
It is reported that many temples have been taken over by the state. Once the government controls these buildings, they are used mainly as museums of ancient Korean traditions. A few temples are still in use and they are considered [[National Treasure (North Korea)|National Treasures]]. Though few temples in large cities survived the US carpet bombings of the [[Korean War]], many still survive in rural areas, and some of the more famous, large temples destroyed have since been rebuilt (such as the [[Ryongtongsa]] and [[Singyesa]]). All in all, there are 300 temples.{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/eap/8330.htm |title= Korea, Democratic People's Republic of: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices}}
As of 2004, there are 64 temples in North Korea. name=":0" /> Many of them are preserved primarily as cultural relics rather than active religious centers.{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/eap/8330.htm |title= Korea, Democratic People's Republic of: Country Reports on Human Rights Practices|date=March 4, 2002|website=US Department of State}}> Many temples were destroyed in the [[Korean War]] and some of them such as [[Sogwangsa]] have been rebuilt.>
{{multiple image
{{multiple image
| align = center
| align = center
Read More