Pulguksa Temple

One of the more important places of worship in Korea is the Pulguksa Temple (Bulguksa). This site is special because it houses seven of the following national treasures of South Korea:

1. Treasures Number 20 and 21
These are Dabotap and Seokgatap respectively. The Dabotap is said to be 10.4 meters tall and it was built during the year 751. This structure is special because the architecture of this stone pagoda is unlike any that is seen in any other Buddhist countries of its time.

Directly across the Dabotap is another pagoda called the Seokgatap. It is a structure that stands approximately 8.2 meters high. Compared to its counterpart, the Seokgatap is simpler and basic that emphasized the combination of three aesthetic elements namely: balance, stability and symmetry.

2. Treasure Number 22
The Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo are considered to be South Korea’s national treasure number 22. These two bridges rise into a 45–degree incline and lead to the Anyangmun (Peace Enhancing Gate) and Geuknakjeon (Hall of Pure Land) respectively.

3. Treasure Number 23
Like the previous treasure, number 23 is also a pair of bridges called Cheongungyo and Baegungyo, (Blue and White Cloud Bridge respectively). The steps of the two bridges combined are said to represent the 33 heavens of Buddhism.

4. Treasure Number 26
Number 26 is a seated Buddha statue that depicts Vairocana embodiment of the Buddhist concept of emptiness. This statue is 1.77 meters in height and is made of gilt–bronze material.

5. Treasure Number 27
Like number 26, the 27th national treasure is also another gilt–bronze Buddha, this time a depiction of the Amitabha Buddha.

6. Treasure Number 61
The sarira pagoda is known to be 61st treasure of South Korea. Situated on the front garden of Pulguksa, the sarira is often mistaken to be a stone lantern. This sarira is significant in the country’s history, as it is known to hold the remains of royalty and significant priests as well. Although it cannot be confirmed, rumor has it that the sarira displayed in Pulguksa, contains the remains of 8 queens and or priests.

Pulguksa Temple