Hwaeomsa Temple Hall of the Enlightened Emperor

SOUTH KOREA, South Jeolla, Gurye

The Hall of the Enlightened Emperor is located in Hwaeomsa (Avatamsaka Temple). It is the largest extant wooden structure in Korea. The hall is believed to have been built by Master Uisang in 670 during the Unified Silla dynasty. Unfortunately it was completely destroyed during the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598). It was rebuilt in 1702 during the Joseon dynasty by Seon Master Gyepa. It was listed as National Treasure No. 67 in 1962.
The seven-by-five bay hall stands on a stone platform. It has a double-eave hip-and-gable roof supported by sophisticated bracket sets. The hall houses statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Prabhutaratna Buddha, flanked by four Bodhisattvas. These statues were sculpted in 1703 during the Joseon dynasty. The hall also contains a painting of the Assembly at Vulture Peak, which was completed in 1653 during the Joseon dynasty and listed as National Treasure No. 301 in 1992. In front of the Hall of the Enlightened Emperor there is a stone lantern. The 6.4 m high lantern, believed to have been built between 860 and 873 during the Unified Silla dynasty, is the largest extant lantern from that dynasty. It stands on an octagonal base carved with lotus designs and cloud patterns. The lantern body has four openings. The roof of the hall has cloud-like decorations at the corners. The spire consists of an octagonal upright lotus, an inverted bowl, a canopy, and a jewel. The stone lantern is listed as National Treasure No. 12.