Singyesa
Encyclopedia
Singye-sa is a Korean Buddhist temple located in Onjong-ri in Kosong
County, Kangwon Province, North Korea
. Once one of the largest of the hundreds of temples located in the scenic Kumgang Mountains
, the complex was entirely destroyed by US bombings during the Korean War
. It was reconstructed in 2004 as an inter-Korean cultural project. It is listed as National Treasure #95
.
in 519, which favored Buddhism as its state religion. Its location, in the sacred Kumgang Mountains, was especially chosen for its natural beauty, and the temple grew, it eventually became known as one of the four major temples of Kumgangsan. Its fame lasted into the Japanese occupation, when the temple was well-known as a tourist destination (under its Japanese pronunciation, Shinkei-ji).
Unfortunately, the entire complex was destroyed by US fighter planes in 1951, at the start of the Korean War
, as the US army believed the temple to be housing soldiers of the Korean People's Army
; thus, despite its historical significance, the temple was firebombed
. In 2004 reconstruction began on the temple, financed in part by the Jogye Order
and the Korean Buddhist Association, and the temple complex was completed in 2006. Its reopening was attended by leading members of both groups.
Unlike many other Korean temples, which have free-standing gates at their entrance, the temple's entrance gate is located under Manse Pavilion ' onMouseout='HidePop("29499")' href="/topics/Ten_thousand_years">Ten thousand years
"), a two-storey structure with storage on the first floor and a meditation room on the second.
In the temple's central courtyard stands a Silla-dynasty stone pagoda, carved with intricate depictions of various Buddhist guardian deities. This is the only artifact to have survived the US bombings of the temple.
Taeung Hall was built temple's main prayer hall in the 18th century. By far the temple's largest and most impressive building, it served as the focal point for the compound. It also housed many of the temple's greatest treasures a collection of icons and nine statues of various Buddhist guardians, saints (arhats), and deities. Unfortunately, it too was completely destroyed by the American forces. Fittingly, it was the first of the temple's buildings to be reconstructed.
To the right of the hall is the small Bell Pavilion, where stands a replica of the temple's original 16th-century bell, also destroyed in 1951.
Kosong
Kosong is a kun, or county, in Kangwon province, North Korea. It lies in the southeasternmost corner of North Korea, immediately north of the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Prior to the end of the Korean War in 1953, it made up a single county, together with what is now the South Korean county of the...
County, Kangwon Province, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. Once one of the largest of the hundreds of temples located in the scenic Kumgang Mountains
Kumgangsan
Kŭmgangsan , Geumgangsan, or Mount Geumgang is a -high mountain in Kangwon-do, North Korea. Its name means "a firm heart in the face of truth". It is about 50 km away from South Korea's Sokcho in Gangwon-do. It is one of the best-known mountains in North Korea...
, the complex was entirely destroyed by US bombings during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. It was reconstructed in 2004 as an inter-Korean cultural project. It is listed as National Treasure #95
National treasures of North Korea
Designated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...
.
History
Singye temple was founded under the kingdom of SillaSilla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
in 519, which favored Buddhism as its state religion. Its location, in the sacred Kumgang Mountains, was especially chosen for its natural beauty, and the temple grew, it eventually became known as one of the four major temples of Kumgangsan. Its fame lasted into the Japanese occupation, when the temple was well-known as a tourist destination (under its Japanese pronunciation, Shinkei-ji).
Unfortunately, the entire complex was destroyed by US fighter planes in 1951, at the start of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, as the US army believed the temple to be housing soldiers of the Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
; thus, despite its historical significance, the temple was firebombed
Firebombing
Firebombing is a bombing technique designed to damage a target, generally an urban area, through the use of fire, caused by incendiary devices, rather than from the blast effect of large bombs....
. In 2004 reconstruction began on the temple, financed in part by the Jogye Order
Jogye Order
The Jogye Order, officially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism is the representative order of traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1,200 years to Unified Silla National Master Doui, who brought Seon and the practice taught by the Sixth Patriarch, Huineng, from China about 820...
and the Korean Buddhist Association, and the temple complex was completed in 2006. Its reopening was attended by leading members of both groups.
Composition
The temple was arranged with shrines, living quarters, and kitchens arranged around a courtyard fronting the main prayer hall.Unlike many other Korean temples, which have free-standing gates at their entrance, the temple's entrance gate is located under Manse Pavilion ' onMouseout='HidePop("29499")' href="/topics/Ten_thousand_years">Ten thousand years
Ten thousand years
The use of the phrase "ten thousand years" in various East Asian languages originated in ancient China as an expression used to wish long life to the Emperor, and is typically translated as "long live" in English...
"), a two-storey structure with storage on the first floor and a meditation room on the second.
In the temple's central courtyard stands a Silla-dynasty stone pagoda, carved with intricate depictions of various Buddhist guardian deities. This is the only artifact to have survived the US bombings of the temple.
Taeung Hall was built temple's main prayer hall in the 18th century. By far the temple's largest and most impressive building, it served as the focal point for the compound. It also housed many of the temple's greatest treasures a collection of icons and nine statues of various Buddhist guardians, saints (arhats), and deities. Unfortunately, it too was completely destroyed by the American forces. Fittingly, it was the first of the temple's buildings to be reconstructed.
To the right of the hall is the small Bell Pavilion, where stands a replica of the temple's original 16th-century bell, also destroyed in 1951.
See also
- Four Great Temples of Mt. Kumgang
- National Treasures of North KoreaNational treasures of North KoreaDesignated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...
- Korean BuddhismKorean BuddhismKorean 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...
- 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...