Bulguksa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Location	Gyeongju, South Korea
Criteria	Cultural: i, iv
Inscription	1995 (19th Session)

Bulguksa (Hangul: 불국사) is a famous Buddhist temple located on Tohamsan mountain in Gyeongju, South Korea. It's a very important place for Korean Buddhism, especially for the Jogye Order.

This temple is home to six amazing National Treasures. These include the famous Dabotap and Seokgatap stone pagodas, the Cheongun-gyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and two special gilt-bronze statues of Buddha. The South Korean government has even called Bulguksa "Historic and Scenic Site No. 1."

In 1995, Bulguksa and the nearby Seokguram Grotto were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. This means they are considered important treasures for everyone in the world! Bulguksa is seen as a masterpiece from the "golden age" of Buddhist art during the Silla kingdom.

One of the oldest woodblock prints in the world was found here in 1966. It was a Buddhist text printed between 704 and 751. This print was on a long scroll of mulberry paper, showing how old and important the temple is.

History of Bulguksa Temple

The story of Bulguksa Temple began a very long time ago. Records say that a small temple was first built on this spot in 528, during the time of King Beopheung.

Later, in 751, a much bigger temple was started under King Gyeongdeok. The chief minister, Kim Daeseong, began building it to honor his parents. The Silla royal court finished the temple in 774, after Kim's death. They gave it the name Bulguksa, which means "Temple of the Buddha Land."

The temple was updated many times during the Goryeo and early Joseon Dynasty periods. Sadly, during the Imjin wars (wars with Japan) in the late 1500s, the wooden parts of the temple were burned down.

Ruins of Bulguksa in 1914, before restoration

After 1604, people started rebuilding and expanding Bulguksa. It went through about 40 more updates until 1805.

After World War II and the Korean War, some parts of the temple were fixed in 1966. Then, from 1969 to 1973, a huge restoration project took place. This project brought Bulguksa back to its current amazing form. The famous stone structures you see today are from the original Silla construction.

What Bulguksa Looks Like

Bulguksa Temple is built on the side of Tohamsan mountain. It has many interesting parts.

The main entrance is called Sokgyemun. It has a special double staircase and bridge that leads into the temple. This stairway has 33 steps, which is said to represent the 33 steps to reach enlightenment. The lower part is called Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge), and the upper part is Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge). This stairway leads to the Jahamun (Mauve Mist Gate).

The Famous Pagodas

Dabotap

Seokgatap

There are two unique pagodas in the temple courtyard, which is quite unusual.

• The three-story Seokgatap (Sakyamuni Pagoda) is 8.2 meters tall. It's a traditional Korean-style stone pagoda with simple, clean lines. Seokgatap is over 13 centuries old!
• Dabotap (Many Treasure Pagoda) is 10.4 meters tall. It's dedicated to the Many Treasures Buddha mentioned in a Buddhist scripture called the Lotus Sutra. Unlike Seokgatap, Dabotap is known for its very detailed and fancy design. You can even see its image on the South Korean 10 won coin!

Both Dabotap and Seokgatap are considered Korean National Treasures.

Important Halls

The temple has several important halls, each with a special meaning:

• Daeungjeon (Hall of Great Enlightenment) is the main hall. The Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas stand in front of it. This hall holds a statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha.
• Behind the main hall is Museoljeon (Hall of No Words). It's called this because people believed Buddha's teachings were so deep they couldn't be explained by just words. It's one of the oldest buildings here, possibly built in 670.
• The Gwaneumjeon (Avalokitesvara's Shrine) is at the highest point of the temple. It holds a statue of Avalokitesvara, who is known as the Bodhisattva of Perfect Compassion.
• The Birojeon (Vairocana Buddha Hall) is below the Gwaneumjeon. It houses a special statue that is National Treasure No. 26.
• The Geuknakjeon (Hall of Supreme Bliss) is near the main area. It holds another gilt-bronze Buddha statue, which is National Treasure No. 27.

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  Map of the main complex

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  Daeungjeon, Main Hall

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  Museoljeon, Hall of No Words

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  Geugnakjeon, Hall of Supreme Bliss

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  Gwaneumjeon, Avalokitesvara's Shrine

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  Birojeon

National Treasures of Bulguksa

Bulguksa is famous for its many National Treasures.

Dabotap and Seokgatap (National Treasures No. 20 and 21)

These two famous stone pagodas stand in the main courtyard. They are among Korea's most important treasures.

Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo (National Treasure No. 22)

Yeonhwagyo and Chilbogyo

The Yeonhwagyo (Lotus Flower Bridge) and Chilbogyo (Seven Treasures Bridge) are a pair of bridges at Bulguksa. They lead to the Anyangmun (Peace Enhancing Gate), which then goes to the Geuknakjeon (Hall of the Pure Land). These bridges were built around the same time as the Blue Cloud and White Cloud Bridges.

This pair of bridges also has a special design with an arch underneath. The lower Lotus Flower Bridge has 10 steps, and the upper Seven Treasures Bridge has 8 steps. The Lotus Flower Bridge used to have beautiful carvings of lotus flowers on each step, but they have worn away over time. Today, visitors are not allowed to walk on these bridges to protect them.

Cheongungyo and Baegungyo (National Treasure No. 23)

Cheongungyo and Baegungyo

The Cheongungyo (Blue Cloud Bridge) and Baegungyo (White Cloud Bridge) are part of a grand stairway leading into the temple. They were likely built around 750 during the reign of King Gyeongdeok. Even though they are two separate bridges, they are considered one single national treasure.

The Blue Cloud Bridge is the upper part of the stairway, and the White Cloud Bridge is the lower part. This stairway leads to the Jahamun (Golden Purple Gate), which takes you to the Sakyamuni Hall. There are 34 steps in total, sloping at a 30-degree angle. The large arch under the stairway shows how skilled the Silla builders were.

Gilt-bronze Vairocana Buddha Statue (National Treasure No. 26)

National treasure No. 26

This is a seated gilt-bronze (gold-covered bronze) statue of the Vairocana Buddha, also known as the Buddha of Enlightenment. It is kept in the Birojeon hall. The statue is 1.77 meters tall.

The Buddha's head has a special bump called an usnisa, which symbolizes great wisdom. The statue's robes are very detailed, showing how skilled the artists were. The Buddha's hands are in a specific position, with the right index finger covered by the left hand. This pose often represents the Buddha of Enlightenment. Experts believe this statue was made around the 9th century.

Gilt-bronze Amitabha Buddha Statue (National Treasure No. 27)

National treasure No. 27

This is another important seated gilt-bronze statue, this time of the Amitabha Buddha. It is 1.66 meters tall and is found in the Geuknakjeon hall. This statue was probably made in the late 8th or early 9th century.

The Amitabha Buddha statue has broad shoulders and a strong chest. Its large lap gives it a sense of balance and strength. The way the robes are shown is very artistic. The left hand is raised at shoulder-level, and the right hand is placed on the lap. This statue shows a very artistic and stylized way of representing the Buddha.

Sarira Pagoda (Treasure No. 61)

Treasure No. 61

This sarira pagoda, or stupa, looks a bit like a stone lantern. It is 2.1 meters tall and is located in the front garden of the Birojeon. A sarira is a special container that holds the relics or remains of important priests or royalty. It is believed this sarira held the remains of eight priests or a queen.

This artifact was taken to Japan in 1906 but was returned to Korea in 1933. It comes from the Goryeo Dynasty, but you can see the influence of older Silla Dynasty art in its design. The pagoda has a detailed foundation stone, a main body with carvings of Buddha and bodhisattvas, and a decorative top.

See also

In Spanish: Bulguksa para niños

• Korean Buddhist temples
• List of South Korean tourist attractions
• List of Buddhist topics
• Tourism in Gyeongju

Images for kids

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  The Lotus Flower Bridge and Seven Treasure Bridge at Bulguksa.