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About This GigapanToggle
- Taken by
- Explore score
- 0.64 Gigapixels
- Date added
- Apr 04, 2013
- Date taken
In records such as Goryeosa (History of Goryeo), Sinjeung Dongguk yeoji seungnam (Newly Verified Survey of the Geography of the Eastern Kingdom), and Dongmunseo (an anthology of Korean literature), Beopcheonsa was a mountain temple built in late Silla, which continued to be remodeled during the Goryeo Dynasty.
It was a famous temple of the consciousness-only school of Buddhism (beopsangjong), one of the two major schools of Buddhism at the time with the Avatamsaka school (hwaeomjong), and flourished under the leadership of monk Jeong Hyeon.
National Preceptor Jigwangguksa, with the patronage of the royal court, returned to Beopcheonsa upon retirement.
The temple thrived but was totally destroyed during the Hideyoshi Invasions of the Joseon Dynasty.
Hyeonmo Stupa of National Preceptor Jigwangguksa (National Treasure No.101), considered to be the finest stupa in Korea, and the Memorial Stone (National Treasure No.59) were erected in Beopcheonsa by King Munjong.
Later the Japanese moved the stupa to Gyeongbokgung Palace, but the sites of the stupa and memorial stone, and flag pole supports remain.
The four excavations from 2001 to 2004 revealed 19 building sites ranging in date from Unified Silla to Joseon, three well sites, and remains of stone embankments, walls, and stairs, as well as relics such as a gilt-bronze standing Buddha statue, lotus pedestal, and all kinds of tiles and ceramics.
Thus the temple site is important in the study of the history of Korean Buddhism.