Buseoksa Temple

SOUTH KOREA, North Gyeongsang, Yeongju

Buseoksa means Floating Stone Temple. The temple was built by Master Uisang in 676 during the Silla dynasty. It was burnt down in the early Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) and rebuilt by National Master Wonyung in 1041. There is a well-known legend relating to the origin of the temple and its name: when Master Uisang returned to Korea from Tang dynasty China, he started to propagate the Avatamsaka teachings; a lady named Seonmyo turned into a dragon and vowed to be his Dharma protector; the dragon later turned miraculously into a huge rock to protect the temple. A large stone can be seen to the west of the Infinite Life Hall.
The major structures of the temple include the One Pillar Gate, Heavenly King Gate, Infinite Life Hall, Patriarch Hall, Mountain Deity Shrine, bell tower, three-tier pagoda, and stone lantern. The Infinite Life Hall and Patriarch Hall were listed as National Treasures No. 18 and 19 in 1962.
The Infinite Life Hall is the main hall of the temple and houses a seated Buddha statue. The three-by-one bay Patriarch Hall, built in 1377 during the Goryeo dynasty, contains portraits of eminent masters, such as Master Uisang and Master Samyeong. There was a mural within the hall that was listed as National Treasure No. 46 in 1962. The mural is one of the oldest in Korea but was relocated to the Infinite Life Hall when the Patriarch Hall was under reconstruction in 1916.