Unjusa Temple

SOUTH KOREA, South Jeolla, Hwasun

Unjusa means Temple Where the Clouds Abide. Although there are no official records related to its founding, the temple is said to have been built during the late Unified Silla dynasty (668–935) by the National Master Doseon. One thousand stone pagodas and one thousand Buddha statues are said to have been built by Master Doseon within one night. The temple was rebuilt during the late 15th century.
The temple buildings include the One Pillar Gate, Great Hero Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Mountain Deity Shrine, bell pavilion, and Universal Liberation Shrine. Additionally, there are currently 93 Buddha statues ranging from 10 cm to 10 m in height, and 21 stone pagodas at the temple.
The temple contains three state-recognized treasures. The nine-tier stone pagoda, listed as Treasure No. 796 in 1984, is the first pagoda encountered on entering the temple. It is a square pagoda in the style typical of the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). Another special pagoda, the 5.71 m high multi-tier cylindrical pagoda, was listed as Treasure No. 798 in 1984. It is unique in design, with its circular shape from the base to the top. To the south of the cylindrical pagoda there is a stone shrine which houses two seated Buddha statues. The stone statues are placed back-to-back with a wall in between them. The shrine was listed as Treasure No. 797 in 1984. In addition, several other pagodas and statues are listed as Tangible Cultural Properties.