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Beomeosa Temple

Beomeosa (Temple of the Nirvana Fish) is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea. Built on the slopes of Geumjeongsan, it is one of the country's best known urban temples.

The mountain where Beomeosa is found is said to have huge rock at the summit where there is a golden well which never, ever dries up. The water of this well is believed to have very special magical properties as one day a golden fish came from heaven and has lived there ever since.

Beom = Nirvana - eo = fish - sa = temple. Thus the name of the temple came to be ＂Heavenly Fish.＂ It is also claimed that the fish came from Nirvana, the Buddhist state of non-suffering. Therefore, the temple also became known as ＂The temple where fish from Nirvana Play.

Bridge of the four dragons.
When we leave the road, we enter the path that leads to Beomeosa temple. The first structure we come across is this bridge with a dragon at each of the four corners.


Beomeosa temple map.
Beomeosa Temple is located on Mt. Geumjeongsan in Busan, and was established in 678 as one of the ten major temples of the Avatamsaka School.

  • According to the Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam, a golden fish descended from heaven and frolicked in a well on this mountaintop. Thus, the mountain was named “Geumjeongsan; literally ‘Golden Well Mountain’),” and the temple built on it was named “Beomeosa (literally ‘Spiritual Fish Temple’).”

Cemetery among the wisteria colony.
Dragon-headed Bixi with stelae commemorate deceased persons.

  • Bixi, or Bi Xi (Wade–Giles: Pi-hsi), is a figure from Chinese mythology. One of the 9 sons of the Dragon King, he is depicted as a dragon with the shell of a turtle.
  • Stone sculptures of Bixi have been used in Chinese culture for centuries as a decorative plinth for commemorative steles and tablets.
  • They can be found throughout East Asia and the Russian Far East.
  • See more at Bixi - Wikipedia.

Walking towards One Pillar Gate.
Around the temple is a mass of wild wisteria, consisting of over 6,500 plants (Natural Monument No. 176).

  • Every year in late spring, their lavender blossoms create an extraordinary sight, unseen anywhere else in Korea.
  • That's why this valley has been called since ancient times “Deungungok (‘Wisteria Blossom Valley’).”

One pillar gate (Jogyemun Gate).
Well before reaching the Beomeosa Temple compound, visitors first see Jogyemun (Treasure No. 1461), the One Pillar Gate. All of its four pillars have short wooden columns sitting on high stone bases.

  • The first gate to the temple, called the "One Pillar Gate" because when viewed from the side the gate appears to be supported by a single pillar, symbolizing the one true path of enlightenment, supporting the world.
  • In Korean temples, this first gate is usually named ‘Iljumun’. The name ‘Iljumun’ means a ‘one pillar gate’ because if one sees the gate from the side, it appears to be supported by a single pillar since the four pillars (or sometimes two pillars) stands in a line horizontally. The structure symbolizes the sole path to enlightenment. Jogyemun Gate is believed to be built in 1614 and it is Korea Treasure No. 1461.

Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings (Cheonwangmun Gate).
Beomeosa's second gate, Beomeosa Cheonwangmun, or Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings was originally built in 1699 and houses the four kings or divas guarding the entrance to the temple. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in December 2010 because of arson. The current one was rebuilt in 2012.

  • The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods or devas, each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world.
  • In the Sanskrit language of India, they are called the "Caturmaharaja" or "Caturmaharajikadeva": "Four Great Kings".
  • In Chinese mythology, they are known as "Si Datianwang" (lit. 'Four Great Heavenly Kings') or collectively as "Feng Tiao Yu Shun" (lit. 'Good climate').
  • The Hall of Four Heavenly Kings is a standard component of Chinese Buddhist temples.
  • See more at Four Heavenly Kings - Wikipedia.

Vaisravana (Kubera), he who hears everything.
This is the chief of the four kings and protector of the north. He is the ruler of rain. His symbolic weapons are the umbrella or pagoda. Wearing heavy armor and carrying the umbrella in his right hand, he is often associated with the ancient Sri Lankan god of wealth, Kubera.


Virudhaka, he who causes to grow.
King of the south and one who causes good growth of roots. He is the ruler of the wind. His symbolic weapon is the sword which he carries in his right hand to protect the Dharma and the southern continent.


Dhrtarastra, he who upholds the realm.
King of the east and god of music. His symbolic weapon is the pipa (stringed instrument). He is harmonious and compassionate and protects all beings. Uses his music to convert others to Buddhism.


Virupaksa, he who sees all.
King of the west and one who sees all. His symbolic weapon is a snake or red cord that is representative of a dragon. As the eye in the sky, he sees people who do not believe in Buddhism and converts them. His ancient name means "he who has broad objectives".


Gate of Non-Duality (Burimun Gate).
Beomeosa's third gate, Beomeosa Burimun, or Gate of Non-Duality was originally built in 1699. This is the final gate before entering the main temple compound symbolizing the concept that the realm of the Buddha and this world are the same.

  • The Buddha taught meditative inquiry (dhyana) and nondiscursive attention (samadhi).
  • See more at Nondualism - Wikipedia.

Universal Salvation hall (Bojeru Pavilion).
The final entry gate at a Korean Buddhist temple is actually a pavilion/entry gate. This pavilion/entry gate is sometimes referred to as the Bojeru Pavilion, which means “Universal Salvation Pavilion,” in English. The pavilion is a two-story structure that is positioned between the Beopdang (main hall) and the Bulimun Gate (The Gate of Non-Duality). Specifically, Boje means “universal salvation,” which is a reference to the casting of a net across Samgye (Realm of Desire), and the desire in Mahayana Buddhism to rescue all sentient beings. “Ru,” on the other hand, simply means “pavilion” in Chinese characters (Hanja).

  • Typically, the first story of the structure acts as the final gateway to the main temple courtyard. Traditionally, the ceiling to the first story of the structure is quite low. This is made in this manner so as to force visitors to stoop as a sign of humility before entering the inner sanctum of the temple grounds.
  • The second story, on the other hand, is where monastic lectures and non-ceremonial Dharma assemblies (beophoe) are conducted simply because they are too large to be done inside the main hall.

Three Story Stone Pagoda.
Treasure 250 - Three Story Stone Pagoda. This pagoda dates back to the Unified Shilla era probably erected as part of the original temple that was destroyed by fire in 1592.

  • Only the top three-stories are from the Shilla where the base and fence are later additions.

Bell Pavillon.

Stone Lamp.
Tangible Cultural Asset 16 - Beomeosa Stone Lamp dates back to the Silla era and was part of the original temple that was destroyed by fire in 1592.


Ancestral Hall.
An ancestral shrine, hall or temple is a temple dedicated to deified ancestors and progenitors of surname lineages or families in the Chinese tradition.


Avalokitesvara Hall (Gwaneumjeon Hall).
The Gwaneumjeon (Avalokitesvara's Shrine) houses an image of the Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Perfect Compassion.

  • Avalokitesvara is a bodhisattva who contains the compassion of all Buddhas.
  • He is variably depicted, described, and portrayed as either male or female in different cultures. Guanyin is one of the female depictions of Avalokiteśvara that appears in East Asia.
  • See more at Avalokiteśvara - Wikipedia.

Hall of Great Enlightenment (Daeungjeon Hall).
Treasure 434 - Beomeosa Daeungjeon, the main temple hall, built in 1614 after the temple was burned down during the Japanese invasions.

  • Major remodellings of this building were undertaken in 1713, 1814 and 1871.
  • When you visit any Korean temple, it is good to know that Daeungjeon (대웅전) is the main building in a temple. Daeungjeon at Beomeosa Temple is Korean Treasure No. 434. Take a look around the beautiful building to see the details. The staircase in front of the building has a unique combination of characteristics both from Silla Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty. The current Daeungjeon was built in 1614 after it was completely burned down during the Japanese Invasion (Imjinwaeran) in 1592.
  • Unlike other Daeungjeon halls in which Sakyamuni statues are enshrined, Daeungjeon Hall at Beomeosa Temple enshrines a Sakyamuni statue, flanked by statues of Maitreya (Maitreya Bodhisattva) and Gara Bodhisattva.
  • Designated as Korean National Treasure 1526, the Buddha Triad Wooden Statues have welcomed visitors with friendly smiles for a long time. The ceiling and paintings depicting the Buddha’s paradise create a majestic atmosphere, giving the feeling that heaven is here.

Geumjeong Mountain Hall.
Sanshin or Sansin are local mountain-spirits in Korean Shamanism and folk-beliefs.

  • In South Korea, most Buddhist temples and major Shamanic-shrines, and some traditionalist villages, have a dedicated shrine called a sanshin-gak or an altar called a sanshin-dan dedicated to the local sanshin.
  • This nature-deity is typically represented in the enshrined icons (paintings and/or statues) as an elder male (in rare cases, mature female) figure in royal-Confucian clothing, always accompanied by at least one tiger and a Korean Red Pine tree.
  • The Sanshin faith is interpreted in the folk scene as a belief devoted to the mountain gods. The mountain's beauty, its mystery, and the perceived shape that soars toward the sky are combined to inspire mountain worship on an emotional level. The upper mountain slopes, cliffs and peaks are seen as is the realm of the spirits and the places to communicate with them and attain visions or enlightenment.
  • See more at Mountain God - Wikipedia.

Blue Dragon Rock.

Ksitigarbha Hall (Jijangjeon Hall).
The main figure in Beomeosa Jijangjeon (Ksitigarbha Hall), is Jijang or Ksitigarbha, the Bodhisattva who cures suffering. Jijang goes to the various levels of hell and pleads with the souls of men to repent. The figures to the left and right of Jijang represent Domyeong and Mudeok. There are ten other figures enshrined here representing the kings of the ten levels of hell. In addition there are two proxy judges, two scribes and two guardian figures in the hall.

  • Ksitigarbha is a bodhisattva primarily revered in East Asian Buddhism and usually depicted as a Buddhist monk.
  • Ksitigarbha is known for his vow to take responsibility for the instruction of all beings in the six worlds between the death of Gautama Buddha and the rise of Maitreya, as well as his vow not to achieve Buddhahood until all hells are emptied.
  • He is therefore often regarded as the bodhisattva of hell-beings, as well as the guardian of children and patron deity of deceased children and aborted fetuses in Japanese culture.
  • Usually depicted as a monk with a halo around his shaved head, he carries a staff to force open the gates of hell and a wish-fulfilling jewel to light up the darkness.
  • See more at Kṣitigarbha - Wikipedia.

Palsangjeon, Dokseong and Nahanjeon.
Each of these Buddhist temples was fused into a single building, with the Dokseong in the center, the Palsangjeon on the left side, and the Nahanjeon on the right side.

  • Originally they were separate buildings. They were later renovated giving them their current appearance.

Hall of the Attained Ones (Nahanjeon Hall).
Nahanjeon (Hall of the Attained Ones) is a place for the enshrinement of arahant, enlightened disciples of Buddha.

  • The Nahan-jeon Hall is dedicated to the historical disciples of the Buddha. The Korean word Nahan is a transliteration of “Arhat,” a Sankrit word. And while less accomplished than a Bodhisattva, Nahan are still an exulted and important part of the Buddhist pantheon of religious figures. Nahan carry on the tradition of the Dharma (Buddhist teachings) from generation to generation. Furthermore, the Nahan were instrumental in spreading the message of Buddhism throughout the world. And an important part in continuing this tradition is the Nahan-jeon Hall, which is an embodiment of the highest form that an earthly human can achieve in Buddhism. Simply put, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are otherworldly, Nahan are not yet.
  • As for inside a Nahan-jeon Hall, you’ll typically find sixteen Nahan statues or paintings inside this shrine hall. They surround the central figure of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha), who sits on the main altar and can be joined either by Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power), or Yeondeung-bul (The Past Buddha) and Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha).

The Lonely Saint Hall (Dokseong Hall).
Another shaman deity that you can find at a Buddhist temple in Korea is Dokseong, or “The Lonely Saint,” in English. The reason he’s called this is because he’s away from the Historical Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul.

  • Dokseong is also sometimes referred to as Naban-jonja.
  • It’s believed that Dokseong was a Nahan, one of the original disciples of the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul.
  • It’s even been suggested that Dokseong was one of Seokgamoni-bul’s original disciples: Pindola.
  • Dokseong will remain on Earth to help those in need of his support as a form of punishment for his careless performance of miracles. As a result, Dokseong will remain on Earth until Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha) appears in 5.67 billion years.
  • Dokseong acts as a bridge between the past Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul and the Future Buddha. Put another way, Dokseong will be the only one to have met both the present and future Buddha in his lifetime.

Hall of Eight Pictures (Palsangjeon Hall).
Palsangjeon (Hall of Eight Pictures) is a worship hall found at a Korean Buddhist temple complex that contains the "Palsang", the series of painted murals depicting the eight stages in the life of the historic Buddha, Sakyamuni.

  • Though configurations for the paintings can vary, the most common is: 1. Descending from Tusita, 2. Heaven, 3. Preparing for Birth, 4. Birth, 5. Leaving Home, 6. Overcoming Mara, the Spirit of Evil, 7. Achieving Enlightenment, 8. Teaching the Dharma, 9. Entering Nirvana.

South Gate.
Leaving Beomeosa Temple through the south gate.


See also

Source

Location

Location: 250 Beomeosa-ro, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea