History

Bulguksa Temple has suffered through many of the nation's most severe trials. The series of elevated stone terraces and the overall masonry foundation mostly survive intact from the 8th century, but the original wooden buildings were all burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592 and have been restored about 40 times since the initial reconstruction in the 37th year (1604) of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty.

Situated on elevated stone terraces, the cloistered temple courts are divided into two main areas, the realm of Sakyamuni and the realm of the Buddha Amitabha. The terraces that lead to the entrance of the main court form three distinct tiers. The top level suggests the realm of Buddha and the lower layers the mundane world. The size and shape of the elevated terraces combine the beauty of the symmetrical and the asymmetrical, the bold and the delicate, the artificial and the natural. At the elevated entrance are two flights of stairs with a total of 33 steps, representing the 33 heavens.

The lower stairs are known as Baegungyo, the Bridge of White Clouds, and the upper stairs as Cheongungyo, or the Bridge of Blue Clouds. The area below the wide middle landing between these two bridges symbolizes the river that separates the terrestrial from the celestial. The main court is centered on Daeungjeon, the hall dedicated to Sakyamuni. Outstanding structures here include Jahamun, the Gate of Purple Mist, Beomyeongnu, the Pavilion of Mount Meru, Jwagyeongnu, the Left Sutra Hall, and Museoljeon, the Hall of Discourse.

Dabotap Pagoda and Seokgatap pagoda

The most eye-catching structures in the main court are a pair of white-granite pagodas, the 10.4m-tall Dabotap Pagoda and the 8.2m-tall Seokgatap Pagoda, dedicated respectively to the Prabhutaratna or Buddha of Abundant Treasures and the Sakyamuni Buddha. The highly decorative pagoda that stands before the eastern part of the court's main hall is Dabotap, the Pagoda of Abundant Treasures, which is designated National Treasure No. 20. The relatively modest one to the west is Seokgatap, the Pagoda of Sakyamuni Tathagata. Dabotap displays the awesomely elaborate masonry skills of Unified Silla artisans. Extraordinary decorative stones on a stable square stylobate form a complicated assemblage with a pointed appearance. The finials seem to reach upward to the great virtues of heaven. Seokgatap is admired for the beauty of its subtle yet graceful proportions. Its beauty emanates from the perfect balance of its ascending tiers, from its equilibrium, and from its graceful simplicity of decorative elements in contrast with the dazzling Dabotap. It ascends gradually with an austere air, each roof tier subtly upturned at the eave.

The smaller cloistered court to the west of the Pavilion of Mount Meru is the realm of Amitabha. It consists of Geungnakjeon, the Paradise Hall dedicated to Amitabha Tathagata; Chilbogyo, the Bridge of Seven Treasures; Yeonhwagyo, the Bridge of Lotus Flowers; and Anyangmun, the Paradise Gate. Every feature of Bulguksa Temple manifests the terrestrial paradise of the Buddha land. From cornerstone to eave bracket the design achieves a perfect blend of religion and art. Together with Seokguram Grotto, Bulguksa Temple was registered on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in December 1995.

Historic Sites Near Bulguksa Temple

Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory : Built in the reign (632-647) of Queen Seondeok, Silla's 27th ruler, Cheom-seongdae is one of the oldest astronomical observatories in Asia. On a rectangular platform constructed with 12 rectangular base stones, 365 granite blocks are piled up in 30 layers that taper toward the top for stability. Many historians point out that the number of stones, 365, matches the number of days in a calendar year.

Anapji Pond : To the northeast of Gyeongju City, on the ruined site of the Silla Kingdom's Imhaejeon Palace, is Anapji, the Pond of Geese and Ducks, which was beautifully designed in the shape of the Silla territory under the kingdom's 30th ruler, Munmu.

Hwangnyongsa Temple Site : The construction of Hwangnyongsa Temple was begun in 553 and Silla's six largest Buddha statues were erected there in 574. In 645, the master architect, Abiji of the Baekje Kingdom, built a nine-story wooden pagoda some 80m tall. Tragically, the temple was destroyed during the Goryeo Dynasty in the Mongol invasion of 1238. The ruined site reveals the temple layout with its seven courts as well as numerous artifacts.

Cheonmachong, the Heavenly-Horse Tomb (Tomb No. 155) : Located in Hwangnam-dong, Gyeongju, this tomb was discovered in 1973. It is a gravel mound with a double wooden coffin, a typical Silla form of burial. Excavation of the tomb revealed numerous treasures, including a gold crown and a mural painted on birch bark showing a white horse flying to heaven, which suggested the name for this otherwise anonymous tomb.

Gwaereung Tomb : This is the tomb of Silla's 38th King, Wonseong. About 3km from Bulguksa Station on the road to Ulsan, you will reach a T-junction just before Gwaereung Bridge. Turn left and follow the cement-paved road for 500 meters to this huge burial mound.

Gujeong-dong Cubical Tomb : The only remaining cubical tomb of the Silla period stands opposite Bulguksa Station in Gujeong-dong, Gyeongju, on the left side next to the turnabout.

Neungjitap Pagoda : This graveyard in Baeban-dong, Gyeongju, is accessible by car. Containing the Neungjitap Pagoda, also known as Yeonhwatap Pagoda, it is thought to be the burial site of Silla's King Munmu.

Dongbang-dong Roof Tile Kilns : Nine roof tile kilns were excavated here in September 1977. The unearthed articles date from the late Goryeo to late Joseon periods.

Three-Story Stone Pagoda on Ma-dong Temple Site : It is said that when Gim Dae-seong was practicing martial arts on Mt. Tohamsan during the construction of Bulguksa Temple, he caught a huge bear, and that he built this temple with its 5m-high pagoda in accordance with the bear's wishes.

Silla Folk Handicraft Village : Built in 1986, the village comprises 17 handicraft workshops for metal, ceramic, and wooden objects. After passing through the Bomun Lake Resort in the direction of Gampo, turn right and the village will come into view on the right, opposite the lakefront.

The Site of Wonwonsa Temple : This temple was built to pray for national peace and prosperity on the slopes of Mt. Bongseosan, Mohwa-ri, Oedong-eup, Gyeongju.

Gwanmunseong Mountain Fortress : To repel Japanese intruders, this fortress was built along the ridge line of Mt. Gwanmunsan which dominates the Gyeongju City to Ulsan area. It is located in Mohwa-ri, Oedong-eup, Gyeongju.

Gwaneumjeon : Gwaneumjeon, the Avalokitesvara Hall, sits on a knoll to the east of Birojeon, the Vairocana Hall.

Tomb of King Seongdeok : King Seongdeok brought considerable cultural and economic advances to Unified Silla. His tomb nestles in a pine grove to the east in Naedong Elementary School, Joyang-dong, Gyeongju.

Tomb of King Sinmu : King Sinmu succeeded to the throne amidst an undignified scramble for power. His tomb lies in Dongbang-dong, Gyeongju

Tomb of King Hyogong : King Hyogong, succeeding his mother Queen Jinseong, ruled the Silla Kingdom for 16 years. His tomb can be reached from downtown Gyeongju on Route 7 to Ulsan, a little before Bulguksa Station.

Tomb of King Hyoso : In 693, King Hyoso established the first Department of Medical Science. His tomb is in Joyang-dong, Gyeongju.

Yeongji Pond : About 2km from Bulguksa Station in the Ulsan direction, Yeongji Stone Buddhist Statue stands against a backdrop of pines. The pond at this spot is the setting for the sad legend of the sculptor Asadal and his fiancee Asanyeo.

The West Stone Pagoda on the Site of Wonwonsa Temple : The pagoda was erected in the Unified Silla Kingdom and restored in 1933. It stands on a ruined temple site in Mohwa-ri, Oedong-eup, Gyeongju.