Palsangjeon
Encyclopedia
Palsangjeon is a worship hall found on a Korean Buddhist
temple complex that contains the "Palsang", the series of painted murals depicting the eight stages in the life of the historic Buddha, Sakyamuni.
Though configurations for the paintings can vary, the most common is:
Palsang can also be found painted on the external walls of a temple worship hall. These external renderings tend to be less ornate than those contained within the walls of a Palsangjeon.
(temple) 36.5419412°N 127.8332555°W, believed to be the oldest in Korea, is one of only two wooden pagoda
s left in Korea
, the other being Daeungjeon at Ssangbongsa.
Although all historical records have been lost, two inscriptions were discovered during a major restoration completed in 1968, indicating Beopjusa Palsangjeon was originally built at the time of the founding of Beopjusa in 553. But like many other wooden buildings, was destroyed by the Japanese during the Seven-Year War. Rebuilding began in 1605 and was completed 21 years later in 1626. The dates of the rebuilding come from inscriptions on a sarira casket and roof that were discovered when the building went through an extensive renovation in 1968.
The pagoda is 22.7 meters/74 feet in height and its base covers an area of 8 square meters/86 square feet. The eight painted panels depicting the life of Buddha adorn the four interior walls. A sarira
containing relics of the Buddha or a holy person, a shrine for the Buddha, and an area for meditation also occupy the interior.
The pagoda rests on a low stone platform with centered steps and entrance on each of the four cardinal directions. The first and second floors contain five rooms while the third and fourth floors contain three. The fifth floor holds two rooms. In addition to the eight painted panels, there are fours statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha. Each statue has different hand positions. The Buddha facing east is in the fearless position. The Buddha facing west is Turning the Wheel of Dharma. The Buddha facing south is touching the earth and the Buddha facing north is in the reclining position (the Buddha's final state of enlightenment before his death). Within the pagoda hall can also be found 500 small white statues of the Buddha, or disciples of Buddha.
Although generally acknowledged to be a pagoda, some scholars suggest that this is a hybrid of pagoda and worship hall architecture. Because pagoda architecture was brought from Korea to Japan, some hypothesize that the original Palsangjeon may have inspired and resembled the five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji
.
Beopjusa Palsangjeon is National Treasure of Korea #55 and was designated such on December 20, 1962.
(temple) 35.283445°N 129.0678388°W is one of three halls identified as being in the single structure called the Hall of Three Shrines, or the Arhat's Hall.
Records indicate that Beomeosa's Palsangjeon was originally built in 1705 but it is believed the current building that houses Beomeosa Palsangjeon, along with Beomeosa Dokseongjeon (Shrine of the Lonely Saint) and the Beomeosa Nahanjeon (The Shrine of the Sixteen Arhats) was erected sometime in the Late Joseon Era. This arrangement found at Beomeosa is not typical for a Palsangjeon.
Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new...
temple complex that contains the "Palsang", the series of painted murals depicting the eight stages in the life of the historic Buddha, Sakyamuni.
Though configurations for the paintings can vary, the most common is:
- Descending from Tusita Heaven,
- Preparing for Birth,
- Birth,
- Leaving Home,
- Overcoming MaraMara (demon)In Buddhism, Māra is the demon that tempted Gautama Buddha by trying to seduce him with the vision of beautiful women who, in various legends, are often said to be Mara's daughters. In Buddhist cosmology, Mara personifies unwholesome impulses, unskillfulness, the "death" of the spiritual life...
, the Spirit of Evil, - Achieving EnlightenmentEnlightenment in BuddhismThe English term enlightenment has commonly been used in the western world to translate several Sanskrit, Pali, Chinese and Japanese terms and concepts, especially bodhi, prajna, kensho, satori and buddhahood.-Insight:...
, - Teaching the Dharma,
- Entering Nirvana.
Palsang can also be found painted on the external walls of a temple worship hall. These external renderings tend to be less ornate than those contained within the walls of a Palsangjeon.
Beopjusa Palsangjeon
Beopjusa Palsangjeon (Hall of Eight Pictures) at BeopjusaBeopjusa
Beopjusa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is situated on the slopes of Songnisan in Naesongni-myeon, Boeun County, in the province of Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. It was initially constructed in 653 by the Silla monk Uisin...
(temple) 36.5419412°N 127.8332555°W, believed to be the oldest in Korea, is one of only two wooden pagoda
Pagoda
A pagoda is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Some pagodas are used as Taoist houses of worship. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist,...
s left in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, the other being Daeungjeon at Ssangbongsa.
Although all historical records have been lost, two inscriptions were discovered during a major restoration completed in 1968, indicating Beopjusa Palsangjeon was originally built at the time of the founding of Beopjusa in 553. But like many other wooden buildings, was destroyed by the Japanese during the Seven-Year War. Rebuilding began in 1605 and was completed 21 years later in 1626. The dates of the rebuilding come from inscriptions on a sarira casket and roof that were discovered when the building went through an extensive renovation in 1968.
The pagoda is 22.7 meters/74 feet in height and its base covers an area of 8 square meters/86 square feet. The eight painted panels depicting the life of Buddha adorn the four interior walls. A sarira
Sarira
Śarīra are generic terms for "Buddhist relics", although in common usage these terms usually refer to a kind of pearl or crystal-like bead-shaped objects that are purportedly found among the cremated ashes of Buddhist spiritual masters...
containing relics of the Buddha or a holy person, a shrine for the Buddha, and an area for meditation also occupy the interior.
The pagoda rests on a low stone platform with centered steps and entrance on each of the four cardinal directions. The first and second floors contain five rooms while the third and fourth floors contain three. The fifth floor holds two rooms. In addition to the eight painted panels, there are fours statues of the Sakyamuni Buddha. Each statue has different hand positions. The Buddha facing east is in the fearless position. The Buddha facing west is Turning the Wheel of Dharma. The Buddha facing south is touching the earth and the Buddha facing north is in the reclining position (the Buddha's final state of enlightenment before his death). Within the pagoda hall can also be found 500 small white statues of the Buddha, or disciples of Buddha.
Although generally acknowledged to be a pagoda, some scholars suggest that this is a hybrid of pagoda and worship hall architecture. Because pagoda architecture was brought from Korea to Japan, some hypothesize that the original Palsangjeon may have inspired and resembled the five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji
Hōryū-ji
is a Buddhist temple in Ikaruga, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Its full name is Hōryū Gakumonji , or Learning Temple of the Flourishing Law, the complex serving as seminary and monastery both....
.
Beopjusa Palsangjeon is National Treasure of Korea #55 and was designated such on December 20, 1962.
Beomeosa Palsangjeon
Beomeosa Palsangjeon (Hall of Eight Pictures) at BeomeosaBeomeosa
Beomeosa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism in Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea. Built on the slopes of Geumjeongsan, it is one of the country's leading urban temples.- Origin :...
(temple) 35.283445°N 129.0678388°W is one of three halls identified as being in the single structure called the Hall of Three Shrines, or the Arhat's Hall.
Records indicate that Beomeosa's Palsangjeon was originally built in 1705 but it is believed the current building that houses Beomeosa Palsangjeon, along with Beomeosa Dokseongjeon (Shrine of the Lonely Saint) and the Beomeosa Nahanjeon (The Shrine of the Sixteen Arhats) was erected sometime in the Late Joseon Era. This arrangement found at Beomeosa is not typical for a Palsangjeon.
See also
- Korean architectureKorean architectureKorean architecture refers to the built environment of Korea from c. 30,000 BC to the present.-Introduction:From a technical point of view, buildings are structured vertically and horizontally...
- Korean Buddhist templesKorean Buddhist templesBuddhist temples are an important part of the Korean landscape. This article gives a brief overview of Korean Buddhism, then describes some of the more important temples in Korea. Most Korean temples have names ending in -sa , which means "temple", or ancient temple.-Introduction to Korean...
- National treasures of Korea
- BeopjusaBeopjusaBeopjusa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is situated on the slopes of Songnisan in Naesongni-myeon, Boeun County, in the province of Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea. It was initially constructed in 653 by the Silla monk Uisin...
External links
- Asian Historical Architecture: Beopjusa
- http://www.kcaf.or.kr/trart/e1-45.htm
- Cultural Heritage: National Treasure No.55
- Is the Palsanjeon a Pagoda?