Jeungsimsa Temple

SOUTH KOREA, Gwangju

Jeungsimsa means Verifying Mind Temple. It is located at the foot of Mudeungsan. It was built by Seon Master Cheolgam in 860, and was rebuilt by National Master Hyejog in 1094 during the Goryeo dynasty. It was reconstructed again in 1609 after the fire in 1597, when many of the cultural treasures were destroyed. Apart from the Five Hundred Hall, the temple was completely destroyed during the Korean War (1950–1953). Most of the buildings were restored in the late 20th century.
The structures in the temple compound include the One Pillar Gate, Great Hero Hall, Five Hundred Hall, Vairocana Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, Mountain Deity shrine, bell tower, three-tier stone pagoda, and seven-tier stone pagoda.
The three-by-three bay Five Hundred Hall was built in 1443 during the Joseon dynasty. It houses a golden statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, surrounded by statues of the Buddha’s Ten Great Disciples and five hundred arhats. The hall was listed as Municipal Tangible Cultural Property No. 13 in 1989. Outside the hall there is a 2.5 m high stone statue of a Bodhisattva wearing a crown and standing on a lotus pedestal.
The Vairocana Hall contains an iron statue of the seated Vairocana Buddha from the Unified Silla dynasty (668–935). This 90 cm high statue was listed as Treasure No. 131 in 1963. Behind the statue there is a mural painted in red with golden lines, which contrasts with the dark-colored statue.