 
Just north of the COEX Center, Bongeun-sa offers a quiet retreat
from the hustle and bustle of crowded city life in the midst of busy and ultra-modern Samseong-dong of
Gangnam-gu District. The temple is a major center for the Seon (Zen) sect of Buddhism, which
focuses on meditation. Additionally, the Institute for Translating Sutras from Chinese into Korean was
established here in 1972, and has produced many excellent translators.
Established in 794 by Ven. Yeon-hoe (the National Master Monk of Unified Silla
at that time), the temple was originally called Gyeonseong-sa (meaning "seeing true
nature"). The temple was rebuilt in 1498 and renamed Bongeun-sa (meaning "offering
benefit"). In 1562 it was moved about 1 km to its current location and rebuilt. Destroyed by
fire in 1592 and 1637, it has been repeatedly rebuilt and renovated. The major restorations came in
1637, 1692, 1912, 1941, and 1981. A 3-story stone stupa enshrines the Sari of Sakyamuni Buddha,
brought from Sri Lanka in 1975.
The temple fell into decline during the late Goryeo era, but was reconstructed in 1498 under the patronage
of a Joseon Dynasty Queen and renamed Bongeun-sa. During the Joseon Dynasty (14th through 19th centuries),
Buddhism fell under severe state-imposed oppression as the government maintained Neo-Confucianism as the
sole state religion. According to the strict social hierarchy of the time, monks were treated as the same
social level as slaves and were not even allowed to enter the gates of the capital city. However, during
the reign of King Myeongjong (1545-1567), Korean Buddhism's status changed. Since King Myeongjong was
still too young to govern the nation, his Buddhist-inclined mother, Queen Munjeong, retained powerful
political influence. With her strong support for the re-awakening of Buddhism, reconstructed Bongeun-sa
became a cornerstone for early-Joseon Buddhist revival.
Ven. Bo-woo played a key role at this critical period. Being assigned as the Chief Monk
of Bongeun-sa in 1548, Ven. Bo-woo revived an official system of training and selecting monks in
both the Seon (meditation) and Gyo (doctrinal, scholastic) sects of Korean Buddhism
(first established by National Master-Monk Jinul Bojo-guksa in the 13th century). In 1551, Bongeun-sa
became the main temple of the Jogye Seon Order, then soon became the main base for the overall
restoration of Korean Buddhism. This revived training system produced such illustrious monks as
Ven. Seo-san, Ven. Sa-myeong, and Ven. Byeok-am. However, after Queen Munjeong died, Ven. Bo-woo
was killed by anti-Buddhist officials.
According to the new state law in 1902, Bongeun-sa was named as one of the 14 main temples in Korea.
In 1911, Bonguen-sa became the Head Temple, governing 80 smaller temples located in the capital city
and the surrounding area. During heavy floods in 1922 and 1929, Ven. Cheong-ho saved the lives of over
70o people from drowning in the Han River. To commemorate his humanitarian activities, people built a
monument in honor of him. Since that time, Bongeun-sa has continued to receive high praise from the
public. When Korea was liberated from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, Bongeun-sa became a direct
subordinate to the Secretariat of the Jogye Order, which is the largest Buddhist sect in Korea. Unfortunately,
during the Korean War (1950-1953), most of Bongeun-sa's buildings in were badly damaged.
The great bronze bell was cast in 1974, the stone pagoda and stone lanterns were built the next year, and
a piece of Sakyamuni Buddha's sarira was enshrined in the pagoda. In 1982, Jinyeo-mun and
Daewung-jeon were renovated. Nowadays, with its grand historical background and its unlikely location in
urban Seoul, Bongeun-sa is a holy place for worship and practice for about 200,000 lay Buddhists. In
addition, Bongeun-sa remains a beautiful, interesting, and comfortable cultural center for all Korean
people, as well as for foreigners who visit Korea.
 
Seonbul-dang (Tangible Cultural Property #64)
Seonbul-dang was a place for the education of precept and doctrinal teaching and for
practicing Seon (Zen meditation). It was renovated in 1941.
Pan-jeon (Tangible cultural Property #83)
There are 3,438 wood blocks on which 15 sutras are carved including Flower-Garland Sutra and Diamond
Sutra. Ven. Yeong-ki and Kim, Jeong-hui led this project in 1855. The Flower-Garland Sutra (designated
Tangible cultural Property #84) is a masterpiece and as one of the few remaining in Korea, it is an
important source of studying the history of Buddhism, Buddhist philosophy, and evolution of the
Korean language.
Constructed in 1856 to store the wood blocks, Pan-jeon remains the oldest building in Bongeun-sa.
It has no fixed walls; only doors and movable wooden panels preserve the wood blocks through proper
ventilation. The calligraphy on the board hanging above the entrance is the last piece of artwork by
Kim Jeong-hui, written while he was bedridden at the age of 71. Pan-jeon has more cultural value
than any other building in Bongeun-sa.
Daewung-jeon
This is the main building of Bongeun-sa, and was renovated in 1982.Inside Daewung-jeon,
three Buddha statues are enshrined; Sakyamuni Buddha in the center, Bhaisagya Buddha
on His left and Amitabha Buddha on his left and Amitabha Buddha on His right.
The calligraphy on the hanging board, written in the middle of the 19th century,
is the work of art by Kim, Jeong-hui, scholar and famous calligrapher of Joseon Dynasty.
The Great Statue of Maitreya Buddha
The great statue of Maitreya Buddha was erected in 1996 as the tallest (23 meters) pure-stone statue
of Maitreva Buddha in Korea. Construction was started in 1986 by Ven. Young-am to pray for the
peaceful re-unification of two Koreas. When the statue was completed, 100,000 paper lanterns were
hung and lit to celebrate this event. The courtyard between the statue and Mireuk-jeon is used for
various ceremonies and cultural events.
Admission: Free
Directions:
- Subway line 2, Samseong Station, exit 6, 100 meters towards ASEM Tower
- Subway line 7, Cheongdam Station, exit 2, 150 meters towards Kyunggi High School
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