Kumgangsan Singyesa Temple

NORTH KOREA, Kangwon, Kumgang

The temple is located on Kumgangsan (Diamond Mountain). It was established by Master Boun in 519 during the Silla dynasty and was reconstructed several times during both the Goryeo (918–1392) and Joseon (1392–1910) dynasties. During the Korean War in 1951, the temple was heavily damaged with only the three-story stone pagoda surviving. The reconstruction of the temple using traditional techniques took place between 2004 and 2007. It is listed as National Treasure No. 95.
According to historical records, the temple originally included 21 buildings and 8 hermitages. The buildings that have been reconstructed include the Great Hero Hall, Ultimate Bliss Hall, Hall of Ten Thousand Years, Hall of Prayers for the Emperor, Arhat Hall, Mountain Deity Shrine, and Seven Star Shrine.
The main hall is the three-by-three bay Great Hero Hall with a single-eave hip-and-gable roof. The bracket sets and rafters under the eaves are decorated in bright colors. Naga heads can be seen above the two main columns at the front side of the building. A statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined inside the hall and the walls are decorated with murals depicting the First Turning of the Dharma Wheel at Sarnath.