Cheonjusa Temple

NORTH KOREA, North Pyongan, Nyongbyon

Cheonjusa means Celestial Pillar Temple. According to an inscription on a stele, the temple was rebuilt in 1684, during the Joseon dynasty, and at that time it had more than 80 halls. The temple was renovated again in 1722. It is listed as National Treasure No. 46.
The temple is built upon a steep slope. The main temple buildings include the Universal Light Hall, Celestial Pillar Pavilion, Observe Moon Pavilion, and Toward Sun Balcony.
The three-by-two bay Universal Light Hall is the main building and has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. The hall is rectangular and is built on a platform made of stones. On the exterior the roof is supported by three-tier bracket sets while in the interior the bracket sets consist of five tiers, which means that there are two extra tiers instead of the normal one. The cone-shaped raised ceiling is decorated with clouds and dragons. The windows are decorated with floral motifs, such as chrysanthemums. A statue of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and six other Buddhist statues are enshrined in the hall. According to the inscriptions on the ridge of the roof, round columns were erected in 1722. Although it has gone through numerous repairs, the appearance remains the same.
On either side of the Celestial Pillar Pavilion there are walkways which lead to the Observe Moon Pavilion and Toward Sun Balcony. The layout looks similar to two spreading wings.