--- title: Bulguksa Temple author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Bulguksa Temple _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The Bulguksa [Temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/temple/) (aka Pulguk-sa Temple or 'Temple of the [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/) Land') was built in the 8th century CE on the wooded slopes of Mt. Tohamsan at the ancient [Silla](https://www.worldhistory.org/Silla/) capital of Geumseong (modern [Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gyeongju/), South [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/)). The [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) temple, after suffering a destructive fire, now stands restored but is only a fraction of its original size. The temple and nearby [Seokguram Grotto](https://www.worldhistory.org/Seokguram_Grotto/) with its huge seated Buddha statue is recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The temple was built on an earlier foundation set when the territory was controlled by the [Baekje](https://www.worldhistory.org/Baekje/) (Paekje) kingdom (18 BCE - 660 CE). The chief architect of Bulguksa is traditionally credited as Kim Dae-seong (700-774 CE), the Chief Minister or *chungsi of the [Unified Silla kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Unified_Silla_Kingdom/) which ruled Korea from 668 to 935 CE. The period saw a great deal of Buddhist [architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) spring up across Korea, but Bulguksa is widely regarded as one of the finest complexes dedicated to the official state [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/) of Korea. ### The Land of Buddha The complex, as its name suggests, was designed to represent the land of Buddha, that is paradise. For this reason, there are three principal zones: Birojeon (Vairocana Buddha Hall), Daeungjeon (Hall of Great Enlightenment and main temple), and Geungnakjeon (Hall of Supreme Bliss). The halls, constructed in wood and stone with tiled roofs, are each built on a raised stone terrace. [ ![Daeungjeon Hall, Bulguksa](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5964.jpg?v=1618759812) Daeungjeon Hall, Bulguksa rlNux (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5964/daeungjeon-hall-bulguksa/ "Daeungjeon Hall, Bulguksa")This architectural representation of paradise, which rises symmetrically from a lotus lake, is symbolically entered via two stone bridges and a large staircase, reminding the visitor that they are leaving the earthly realm behind them and stepping into the sacred realm of Buddha. The entrance gate, known as the Mauve Mist Gate (*Chaha-mun*) is approached by the 'cloud bridge' staircase. The visitor must climb a lower flight of steps known as the Bridge of White Clouds (*Paekun-gyo*) and then an upper flight with the name Bridge of Azure Clouds (*Chongun-gyo*). Besides the three large halls, the complex included floating pavilions and living quarters for monks as it also functioned as a monastery. The combined floor space of all of these structures was said to cover 2,000 *kan* (one *kan* being the space within four columns).The temple complex was so large and built with such precise mathematical and geometrical considerations that it took almost 40 years to complete, beginning with the traditional start date of 751 CE and finishing in 790 CE. ### Dabotap & Seokgatap Pagodas Although the original wooden buildings of Bulguksa have long since disappeared the temple does have two surviving stone pagodas – the Dabotap (Tabo-tap or 'Pagoda of Many Treasures') and Seokgatap (Sokka-tao or 'Pagoda that Casts No Shadow') – which both traditionally date 751 CE. Stone pagodas are Korea's unique contribution to Buddhist architecture, and they usually stood as a pair in a courtyard in front of the main temple hall, as was the case with these two at Bulguksa which stand before the Daeungjeon Hall. [ ![Dabotap Pagoda, Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/5611.jpg?v=1743136628) Dabotap Pagoda, Gyeongju rinux (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5611/dabotap-pagoda-gyeongju/ "Dabotap Pagoda, Gyeongju")The Dabotap pagoda, which represents the Dabo Buddha, is the more complex of the two and stands at the east side. It has a square base with a columned pavilion accessed by a short flight of stairs on each of the four sides. The pavilion may once have housed an image of Buddha and at the top of the western stairs is a stone lion, a design which may originally have been repeated on the other three staircases. Above are multiple octagonal levels with columns in the form of bamboo stalks and then circular, flower-shaped layers at the top. The Seokgatap, on the west side and representing Sakyamuni Buddha, is a simpler affair and has a large square base and then three prominent square levels topped by a thin spire. Excavation around the Seokgatap pagoda in 1966 CE brought to light a *sarira* (reliquary casket) containing the world's oldest woodblock-printed document, a copy of the Dharani [sutra](https://www.worldhistory.org/Sutra/). ### Later History & Restoration Many of the temple complex's wooden buildings were, unfortunately, destroyed during the Japanese invasions known as the Imjin Wars (1592-8 CE). Restorations were made over the centuries, often based on ancient descriptions, but the complex is much smaller than the original. The two pagodas and two of the bridges all feature on the official list of National Treasures of Korea. [ ![Seokgatap Pagoda, Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/5612.jpg?v=1618583434) Seokgatap Pagoda, Gyeongju Amy Elise Keel (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5612/seokgatap-pagoda-gyeongju/ "Seokgatap Pagoda, Gyeongju")### Seokguram Grotto Nearby Bulguksa, set into the upper south-eastern slopes of the Tohamsan mountain, is the Seokguram Grotto (Sokkuram). This Buddhist cave temple was constructed as an artificial grotto between 751 and 774 CE, again by Kim Dae-seong. The circular inner chamber has a domed roof and a white granite statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha which is 3.45 metres high. The walls of the grotto are decorated with 41 figure sculptures set in niches. Seokguram features at position no. 24 on the official state list of National Treasures of Korea. This content was made possible with generous support from the [British Korean Society](http://www.britishkoreansociety.org.uk/?utm_source=ancient.eu&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=ancient.eu). #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Buckley Ebrey, P. *Pre-Modern East Asia.* Wadsworth Publishing, 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1133606512/) - [Jackson, B. *Korean Architecture.* Seoul Selection USA, Inc., 2013.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/8997639234/) - [Jinwung Kim. *A History of Korea"Land of the Morning Calm" to States in Conflict.* Indiana University Press, 2012.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0253000246/) - [Ki-baik Lee. *A New History of Korea.* Harvard University Asia Center, 1984.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/067461576X/) - [Portal, J. *Korea:Art & Archaeology.* Thames & Hudson, 2000.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0500282021/) - [Pratt, K. *Korea: A Cultural & Historical Dictionary.* Routledge, 1999.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0700704639/) - [Seth, M.J. *A History of Korea.* Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2010.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0742567168/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **751 CE**: The Seokgatap stone pagoda is built at the [Bulguksa temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/), [Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gyeongju/), [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **751 CE**: The Dabotap stone pagoda is built at the [Bulguksa temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/), [Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gyeongju/), [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). - **751 CE - 790 CE**: The [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) [Bulguksa temple](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/) complex is built east of [Gyeongju](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gyeongju/), [Korea](https://www.worldhistory.org/Korea/). ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2016, October 24). Bulguksa Temple. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa\_Temple/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Bulguksa Temple." *World History Encyclopedia*, October 24, 2016. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa\_Temple/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Bulguksa Temple." *World History Encyclopedia*, 24 Oct 2016, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa\_Temple/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bulguksa_Temple/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 24 October 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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