Temple History

Anguksa Temple is located in Pyongsong, Pyongannam-to, North Korea. It’s located on the slopes of Mt. Pongrinsan (217 m). And for the rest of this article, it should be noted, that the spelling of North Korean places will use the North Korean style of spelling. Anguksa Temple was first established in 503 A.D. Anguksa Temple is one of the oldest cultural sites still remaining in North Korea. Of particular importance is the two-story Taeungbo-jeon Hall [Daeungbo-jeon Hall] that was built during the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). According to the writing on the eaves inside the Taeungbo-jeon Hall, the main hall was rebuilt in 1419. It was later rebuilt again in 1594, 1654, and 1785. In fact, there have been roof tiles that have been discovered in and around the temple grounds from the Goguryeo Dynasty (37 B.C. – 668 A.D.). Besides being called Anguksa Temple, the temple was formerly called Bongrinsa Temple, as well.

Additionally, there are several foundation stones in front of the Taepyong-ru Pavilion [Taepyeong-ru Pavilion]. This hints at the fact that the temple was formerly much larger than its current size. Anguksa Temple is North Korean National Treasure #34. And besides Anguksa Temple being a North Korean National Treasure, the temple is home to a ginkgo tree that was first planted in 1400, making it North Korean Living Monument #31.

Temple Layout

Presently, Anguksa Temple is home to a handful of shrine halls and buildings. The temple has a linear layout. Passing through an entry gate, and the outer courtyard, you’ll find the nine-story pagoda that dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The pagoda has a wide square base with nine slender body stones atop it. The pagoda stands at 6.23 metres. It’s also in this area that you’ll find the ginkgo tree that dates back to the year 1400. Additionally, it’s also in this area that you’ll find the foundation stones to former shrine halls that once stood at Anguksa Temple.

To gain entry to the main temple courtyard at Anguksa Temple, you’ll need to pass through the Taepyong-ru Pavilion [Taepyeong-ru], which means “Perfect Peace Pavilion” in English. Stepping inside this entry gate, you’ll notice elevated platforms for people to sit or meditate on. While the exterior walls are adorned simply, the interior is filled with the wonderful dancheong colours. And the signboard to the entry pavilion is said to have been painted by King Sunjo of Joseon (r. 1800-1834).

Directly behind the Taepyong-ru Pavilion [Taepyeong-ru Pavilion] is the temple’s Taeungbo-jeon Hall [Daeungbo-jeon Hall]. Of all the temple shrine halls at Anguksa Temple, it’s this two-story structure that’s the most impressive. The two-story structure is unlike most other structures of this time. It has beautiful, intricate eaves on the outside with simplistic dancheong colours. Stepping inside the cavernous hall, you’ll find a long main altar with three images resting under large, red canopies. The central image is that of Birojana-bul (The Buddha of Cosmic Energy). The ceiling of the structure is painted with beautiful floral patterns, and the bracketing protruding outwards from the interior walls are both intricate and detailed. The Taeungbo-jeon Hall [Daeungbo-jeon Hall] stands seventeen metres in height and thirteen metres in width.

To the right of the Taeungbo-jeon Hall stands the monks dorms, which is known as the Yosachae. And to the left of the Taeungbo-jeon Hall is the Jupildae which is a library.

How To Get There

For now, in today’s political climate, you don’t. But hopefully one day soon we can. Below is a map of where to find Anguksa Temple in Pyongsong, Pyongannam-to, North Korea.

Overall Rating: 8/10

Again, for being located in the off-limits North Korea, and if you can actually get to Anguksa Temple, it rates as highly as it does. In addition to the temple’s dangerous location, the two-story Taeungbo-jeon Hall [Daeungbo-jeon Hall] is definitely the main highlight with its beautiful and intricate eaves both inside and out. The main altar statues, and the beautiful dancheong colours. Two other things of interest is the nine-story Goryeo-era pagoda and the Taepyong-ru Pavilion [Taepyeong-ru]. Hopefully one day soon, we’ll be able to visit this amazing temple.

Historical Pictures of Anguksa Temple

Anguksa Temple Now

부탁하다 and 부탁드리다 are two commonly used verbs that are a bit tricky to translate, but mean "to request" or "ask for" something. These verbs are used together with nouns to politely request someone to do something. Another way to think of these verbs is to mean "I ask that you" or "I ask for your."

I explain what they mean and how to use them, and give a few examples in this latest Korean FAQ episode, which you can watch right here.

The post A Polite Way to Ask Favors Using 부탁하다 | Korean FAQ appeared first on Learn Korean with GO! Billy Korean.

Temple History

Ingaksa Temple is located in the southeastern part of Gunwi, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The temple was first founded in 643 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The name of the temple means “Giraffe Horn Temple” in English. More specifically, the temple is located next to the Wicheon River and Mt. Hwasan (828.1 m). Interestingly, people thought that Mt. Hwasan looked like a giraffe. And where Ingaksa Temple is located, people believed that’s where the giraffe’s horn should have been located; and hence, the temple’s name.

During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), Ingaksa Temple was further expanded. And as the temple grew in size, Ingaksa Temple also grew to be one of the most prominent temples on the Korean peninsula. Also of note, Ingaksa Temple is closely associated with the famed monk Ilyeon (1206-1289) because it’s believed that he wrote the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) at Ingaksa Temple over a five year period starting in 1281. Ingaksa Temple would flourish until the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

There was an extensive excavation conducted at Ingaksa Temple from 1992-2009. And while there were no specifics discovered about the exact date of the temple’s founding, it’s believed that Ingaksa Temple already existed at the end of Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). This assumption comes as a result of findings found at where the Daeung-jeon Hall was estimated to have been located.

In total, there are two Korean Treasures. One is the Stupa of State Preceptor Bogak and Stele at Ingaksa Temple, which is Korean Treasure #428. And the other, which can be found at the Central Buddhist Museum in Seoul, is the Set of Utensils Used to Contain Food Offered to Buddha at a Ritual Unearthed from Ingaksa Temple in Gunwi. As for the temple itself, it’s Historic Site #374.

Temple Layout

You first approach Ingaksa Temple in a bend in the Wicheon River. Having passed through the temple parking lot, you’ll next pass by a field with stone artifacts from the previously mentioned excavation. These stone artifacts date back to Unified Silla. Having passed by these historical items, you’ll finally enter into the large temple courtyard. Straight ahead of you is the Geukrak-jeon Hall. Out in front of this main hall is a three-story stone pagoda. This pagoda is based on a Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) design, but the pagoda actually dates back to the early Goryeo Dynasty (18-1392). The top of the pagoda, the finial, is in good condition, while the two-tiered based has a fan-shaped bottom which supports the weight of the square body stones. The pagoda, which is officially known as the Three-Story in Ingaksa Temple, is Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural Heritage Material #427.

As for the Geukrak-jeon Hall, the exterior walls are adorned in simple dancheong colours and a collection of colourful floral murals. Stepping inside the Geukrak-jeon Hall, you’ll find a triad of statues on the main altar centred by Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). This central image is joined on either side by statues of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Power for Amita-bul). To the left of this triad are a pair of paintings. The first is a Banya Yongseon-do (Dragon Ship of Wisdom Mural), and the other is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). And hanging on the far right wall is the temple’s Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).

To the right of the Geukrak-jeon Hall is the Guksa-jeon Hall (The State Preceptor Hall). In this case, this Guksa-jeon Hall is dedicated to Ilyeon-guksa. The exterior walls of this temple shrine hall are adorned with the Shimu-do (The Ox-Herding Murals). And housed inside this large shrine hall are a pair of murals dedicated to Ilyeon. To the rear of the Guksa-jeon Hall are a few stone artifacts. The first is a seated stone image dedicated to Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) which dates back to the 10th to 11th century. This statue is Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage #339. This stone statue is joined to the right by the Stupa of State Preceptor Bogak and Stele at Ingaksa Temple. It’s believed that this Korean Treasure dates back to between 1289, the date of Ilyeon’s death, and 1295. The middle octagonal stone is engraved with obscure animals, while the upper octagonal stone of the stylobate is engraved with simple lotus flower patterns. This stupa is known as “Bogak-guksa Jeongjoji-tap” in Korean, which is inscribed on the front of the main body of the stupa. The six other sides of the stupa are adorned with the Four Heavenly Kings and Boddhisattvas standing on lotus flowers. The rear image of the stupa has a door design on it.

And to the left rear of the Guksa-jeon Hall, you’ll find the accompanying stele dedicated to Ilyeon, which is also a part of the Stupa of State Preceptor Bogak and Stele at Ingaksa Temple Korean Treasure. Unlike the stupa that seems to have been well preserved, the stele has not been. The stele is in rough shape. Originally, it was erected by the monk Beopjin, who was a disciple of Ilyeon. And the inscription on the stele was composed by Minji, who was a famous writer at this time, at the command of Chungnyeol of Goryeo (r. 1274-1308). And because the stele has been so badly damaged, a copy of the stele’s inscription has been preserved at Woljeongsa Temple in Pyeongchang, Gangwon-do. It’s believed that the stele was erected in 1295.

Between the Geukrak-jeon Hall and the Guksa-jeon Hall is the temple’s Myeongbu-jeon Hall. Like the Geukrak-jeon Hall, the Myeongbu-jeon Hall is adorned in simple dancheong colours around its exterior walls. Stepping inside the Judgment Hall, you’ll find a smaller, green haired statue dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) on the main altar. This statue is joined by ten smaller sized statues dedicated to the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld).

To the rear of the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, and up a slight incline, is the Sallyeong-gak Hall. This stand-alone shrine hall houses a fading mural dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). And the final shrine hall that visitors can explore at Ingaksa Temple is the Mireuk-dang Hall, which is a modern building. Housed inside the Mireuk-dang Hall is a damaged image of Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). The damaged image of Mireuk-bul rests all alone on the main altar. The statue is believed to date back to Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It was found during the extensive excavation that took place from 1992-2009. It was found in the middle of a field about 60 metres from the main temple grounds. It’s right arm has been lost, and some of its facial features have been damaged. The statue, which is officially known as the Seated Stone Buddha in the Maitreya Shrine at Ingaksa Temple, is Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage Material #426.

And no trip to Ingaksa Temple would be complete without a visit to the museum. This museum is located at the front of the temple grounds.

How To Get There

From the Gunwi Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to board a bus that reads “Gunwi-Nakjeon, 군위 – 낙전” on it. You can take this bus or the “Gunwi – Hakam, 군위 – 학암” bus. Either bus ride will last about an hour, or 21 stops. You’ll need to get off at the “Hwabuk 1-ri – 화북 1리” stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to walk an additional 900 metres, or 15 minutes, to get to Ingaksa Temple.

And if public transportation isn’t your thing, you can simply take a taxi from the Gunwi Intercity Bus Terminal. The taxi ride will take about 35 minutes, and it’ll cost you around 25,000 won (one way).

Overall Rating: 7/10

Ingaksa Temple has one of the more storied pasts. First, it was founded by Wonhyo-daesa, and then it was the temple where Ilyeon wrote the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms). It’s also the final resting place of the earthly remains of the famed monk, as well. There’s a beautiful stupa that houses these remains and a damaged stele that records the monk’s life. Other interesting features to Ingaksa Temple is the Goryeo-era pagoda out in front of the Geukrak-jeon Hall, the Guksa-jeon Hall, and the various stone artifacts from the extensive excavation conducted at the temple. While this temple is lesser known, it’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you’re interested in the history of Korean Buddhism.

How has speaking Korean affected YOUR Korean? What sorts of things do you say now in English, after having learned some (or more) of the Korean language?

I sat down with my friend Forrest and we talked about some common things that English speakers do after they've started studying Korean, as well as the reasons why we do those.

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