Buddhist Temples
Temples offer visitors a glimpse at Buddhist Monasticism. Westerners often think of
Buddhism as a religion of vegetarians who believe in reincarnation. Visiting temples
and meeting with monks help people to realize that Buddhism goes way beyong this
oversimplification.
Buddhism has a long history, originating in India over 2,600 years ago. Travelers introduced
the religion to Korea around the fourth century A.D. Since that time, Buddhism has greatly
influenced Korean culture and society, and it also has produced many widely admired works of art.
(To learn more about Buddhism, see the Buddhism section.)
In Kyongju (North Gyeongsang Province),
Bulguk-sa and
Sokkuram Grotto, both built
during the eighth century, are two of the most famous examples of Buddhist art and
architecture. These two attractions, along with the Tripitaka
Koreana (a collection of 80,000+ woodblocks of Buddhist scripture made in the 13th
century), were added to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list in 1995.
Buddhism accounts for more than 80 percent of Korean cultural resources designated
as national treasures. The Moga
Buddhist Museum is Korea's first museum dedicated solely to
Buddhist relics and contains over 6,000 objects.
| Temples by area: |
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Busan (Pusan) City-
Beomeo-sa, Yonggung-sa
Daegu (Taegu) City-
Donghwa-sa, Eunjeok-sa, Tongilyak-sa
Gangwon (Kangwon) Province-
Naksan-sa, Odaesan Sangwon-sa, Odaesan Woljeong-sa (Temple), Sinheung-sa
Gyeonggi (Kyonggi) Province-
Silleuk-sa
Gyeongju (Kyongju) City-
Bulguk-sa, Bunhwang-sa, Golgul-sa
Incheon (Inchon) City-
Jeondeung-sa
Jeju (Cheju) Island-
Cheonwhang-sa, Yakcheon-sa
North Chungcheong Province-
Beopju-sa, Mireuk-sa
North Gyeongsang Province-
Dori-sa, Eunmun-sa, Samjeon Grotto Temple, Songnim-sa
North Jeolla (Cholla) Province-
Silsang-sa
Seoul City-
Bongeun-sa, Bongwon-sa, Hwagye-sa, Jogye-sa
South Chungcheong Province-
Hyeonchung-sa
South Gyeongsang Province-
Daewon-sa, Gilsang-am, Haein-sa, Naewon-sa, Seognam-sa, Ssanggye-sa, Tongdo-sa
South Jeolla (Cholla) Province-
Cheoneun-sa, Daedun-sa, Hwaom-sa, Seonam-sa, Songgwang-sa, Yeongok-sa
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