Buseoksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] | Attraction Guide

Buseoksa Temple is a head temple of the Hwaeom Sect, founded in the 16th year of King Munmu’s reign in Silla (676) by the sect’s patriarch Uisang Daesa under royal command. While studying in Tang China, Uisang Daesa heard of the Tang emperor's invasion of Silla, reported this to the king, and returned home to unify the national sentiment and overcome hardships through Hwaeom philosophy, founding this temple as the origin of Korea’s Hwaeom thought. The name Buseoksa comes from a large rock west of the Buddha hall that floats without touching the lower rock, called the “floating rock.” In the Goryeo period, it was called Seondalsa or Heunggyeosa Temple. A manuscript found during restoration in 1916 reveals that Muryangsujeon and others were rebuilt in early Goryeo, but were destroyed by fire in the 7th year of King Gongmin’s reign (1358). Muryangsujeon was rebuilt in the 2nd year of King U’s reign (1376), and Josadang in the 3rd year (1377). The temple grounds contain Unified Silla relics such as the stone lantern in front of Muryangsujeon, stone Buddha statue, three-story stone pagoda, flagpole supports, and stone pedestal, as well as Goryeo relics including Muryangsujeon, Josadang, a clay Buddha statue, Josadang murals, Goryeo woodblocks, and the stele of Wonhyungguksa. Notably, Muryangsujeon is one of Korea’s oldest wooden buildings, and the Josadang murals are the oldest known on wooden structures, now preserved in the artifact museum. The Buddha statue enshrined in Muryangsujeon is the finest clay statue in Korea. The well west of Muryangsujeon is said to be where Uisang Daesa’s guardian dragon lived.