Magoksa Temple UNESCO World Heritage, Gongju, Korea.

 Magoksa Temple UNESCO World Heritage

966, Magoksa-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea.

Introduction

Magoksa Temple was founded by Monk Jajangyulsa in 640, a representative temple of Chungcheongnam-do. Magoksa Temple is surrounded by a mountain and a stream curving in a yin-yang shape. Perhaps because of such a shape, this temple was never damaged by any major wars during the Joseon period (1392-1910). It is most beautiful during the spring time, when the cherry blossoms, sansuyu, and magnolias fill the whole area.
Two eye-catching sights at Magoksa Temple are the Five-story Stone Pagoda and the Chinese juniper trees scholar Kim Gu (Korean politician and freedom activist) is said to have planted. The top of the Five-story Stone Pagoda is decorated with bronze. This style was influenced by the Lama Buddhist sect of Tibet, and there are said to be only three such structures left in the world.

Current Status

[Five-story Stone Pagoda of Magoksa Temple] Treasure No. 799
[Yeongsanjeon Hall of Magoksa Temple] Treasure No. 800
[Daeungbojeon Hall of Magoksa Temple] Treasure No. 801
[Daegwangbojeon Hall of Magoksa Temple] Treasure No. 802
[Hanging Painting of Magoksa Temple (Sakyamuni Buddha)] Treasure No. 1260

Liberation Gate at Magoksa Temple

Deva King Gate at Magoksa Temple

Treasure 801, Daeungbojeon Hall of Magoksa Temple

Treasure 802, Daegwangbojeon Hall of Magoksa Temple

Treasure 799, Five-story Stone Pagoda of Magoksa Temple

This pagoda, built during the Goryeo Dynasty, stands just in front of Daegwangbojeon Hall in Magoksa Temple.

The temple was constructed during the Unified Silla Period and has connections with Kim Gu, the famous activist who fought for the independence of Korea during the Japanese Occupation.

Kim stayed here under cover as a monk after escaping from prison. 

He had been indicted with assassinating the Japanese general who murdered Empress Myeongseong.

A juniper still standing in front of Daegwangbojeon Hall is said to have been planted by Kim Gu.

Soaring up in yard of the temple, the pagoda stands on a two-story stylobate that supports the five-story main section, which is topped in turn by a decorative finial.

Images of Buddha and Bodhisattva are engraved on the body stone.

There are traces of four wind-bells, but only with one of them remains on the fifth roof stone.

The bronze finial decoration catches the attention most successfully as it looks similar to the Pagoda of the Lama from the Yuan Dynasty of China.

Despite its slender construction and apparent lack of stability, the pagoda can still boast a majestic look.

The extraordinary finial decoration leaves some room to assume that it dates from the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, when the influence from the Yuan Dynasty was considerable.

Overall, the pagoda reflects aspects of the society at that time when the culture backed by the Lama was assimilated to that of Goryeo Dynasty.

Most of the temple’s treasures were stolen during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.

Fortunately, during repair work done on the pagoda in 1972, an incense burner and a door pull were discovered.

A myth attached to the pagoda tells that it can hold enough food to feed the whole population for three days in a row.

Opinion is divided on the foundation of Magoksa Temple.

Some say it was built by Buddhist Monk Jajang Yulsa in 640, the ninth year of the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla, while others say Buddhist Monk Museon of Silla built it after returning from Tang China.

It was closed from late Silla to the early days of Goryeo but was rebuilt by State Preceptor Bojo in 1172, the second year of the reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo.

It then remained dilapidated again for 60 years following the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.

The Buddhist Monk Gaksun rebuilt Daeungjeon Hall, Yeongsanjeon Hall and Daejeokgwangjeon Hall in 1651, the second year of the reign of King Hyojong of Joseon.

Yeongsanjeon Hall is the sanctum enshrined with a Sakyamuni statue and a painting of Buddha's life (The Eight Great Events), also called Cheonbuljeon, because it enshrines a thousand Buddhas.

It was rebuilt along with the temple by Buddhist Monk Gaksun in 1651.

It is situated to the west of Haetalmun Gate, and is the oldest building in Magoksa.

It comprises 5-kan (a unit of measurement referring to the distance between two columns) front space and 3-kan side space and it has a gable roof called matbaejibung.

It is a jusimpo style of building, which the gongpo that supports the eaves of the roof is set up only on the pillars while in the dapo style the gongpo is set up not only on the pillars but also between them.

It is unique in that the end of the extended materials is rolled. King Sejo inscribed the calligraphy on the hanging board on the front of the building. The ceiling was decorated with the pattern of Chinese character 井 (jeong).

A well ceiling is typically associated with a dapo style building, though a mixture of jusimpo and dapo styles was adopted here.

With its solid structure, the hall is regarded as an important cultural asset and a source for the study of Joseon architectural history.