Songgwangsa Temple

SOUTH KOREA, South Jeolla, Suncheon

Songgwangsa means Temple of Spreading Pines and it is situated at the northern foothill of Jogyesan (Caoxi Mountain). It is one of the Three Major Temples of Korea. It is also the head temple for the 21st district of the Jogye order of Korean Seon Buddhism, and is the founding temple of the Jogye school. The temple has been affected by war and fire and has undergone eight major reconstructions in its history.
Unlike the lateral layout of other temples, Songgwangsa Temple is built in a square formation with the Great Hero Hall at the center surrounded by halls and shrines. The major buildings include the main gate, Great Hero Hall, Sangha Gem Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Heavenly King Gate, Avatamsaka Hall, Buddha Hall, National Master Hall, Arhat Hall, Medicine Buddha Hall, Sacred Mountain Hall, lecture hall, meditation hall, upper dormitory, and lower dormitory.
The statues of the Four Heavenly Kings enshrined at the Heavenly King Gate were listed as Treasure No. 1467 in 2006. Other state-recognized treasures include the illustration of the Avatamsaka Sutra in the Avatamsaka Hall, the painting of the Sixteen Arhats in the Arhat Hall, the illustration of the Eight Great Events from the Life of the Buddha in Sacred Mountain Hall, and portraits of Sixteen National Masters in National Master Hall.