Bulguksa Temple ( 불국사 )

According to Samguk Yusa, Bulguksa Temple was built on the 10th year (751) of the reign of King Gyeongdeok.

King Gyeongdeok’s era, when Silla stabilized after the unification of the Three Kingdoms and when cultural capabilities were high,
was the golden year of Silla culture; and at that time, Silla people were very proud that Silla was the Buddha’s land.

The strong devotion of the Silla people was realized with the development of science and technology,
excellent building techniques, and artistic sensibility.

Bulguksa Temple was created with such devotion.

That is why the real power of Bulguksa Temple does not come merely from its beautiful scenery, quiet temple mood,
and superior construction techniques.

Let us reflect on the name Bulguk (Buddha’s land) by embracing the spirits of the Silla people a thousand years ago.

The precinct area is divided into the following three areas:
Dae Ung Jeon, Geuk Rak Jeon, and Bi Ro Jeon, where three Buddhas are enshrined.

Each area is composed of a staircase and a door at the entrance, a central building, and a corridor that surrounds them.

The Dae Ung Jeon area indicates the world of suffering of the Sakyamuni Buddha,
the Geuk Rak Jeon area represents the Land of Happiness of the Amitabul,
and the Bi Ro Jeon area corresponds to the lotus-flowered world of Birojanabul.

Supposing these three areas located on the stones are the world of Buddha, the area under these stones is the world of human beings.

Cheongun•Baegun Bridge and Yeonhwa•Chilbo Bridge connect these two worlds.

Carefully observing the construction techniques of the stones and the bridges,
anyone can easily notice that the skills of the Silla people who used the stones were not common.

Seokgatap Tower and Dabotap Tower, which face each other in the yard of the Dae Ung Jeon area,
are the highlights of the Bulguksa constructions.

The graceful-looking Seokgatap Tower is definitely different from the luxurious Dabotap Tower,
but it shows the completion of beauty through symmetry and balance, as well as diversification and harmony, in keeping with the peripheral buildings.