A Journey to Beopjusa Temple in Soksil Mountain
Beopjusa Temple, located in Soksil Mountain, is a place I visited after a long time.
I visited while contributing an article to the Korea Tourism Organization, and it was a refreshing experience.
The breathtaking scenery inspired me to think about setting new year’s plans.
Near the restaurant, there is the Seongbo Museum, located on the way up to Beopjusa Temple.
The Seongbo Museum at the entrance of Soksil Mountain Beopjusa Temple opened in 2024.
With an area of 3,165 square meters (1 basement, 2 floors), the first floor features exhibition halls, a multipurpose room, storage, and facilities.
The second floor includes permanent and special exhibition halls, as well as seminar rooms.
Beopjusa Temple is renowned for having the most Buddhist cultural heritage among domestic temples, showcasing numerous artifacts.
The entire temple is designated as Historic Site No. 503, and the surrounding scenery, including the pine forest, is protected as Scenic Site No. 61.
Inside the temple, there are 16 nationally designated cultural assets and 22 designated by North Chungcheong Province.
The museum displays a total of 66 items, including three treasures such as Beopjusa's Gwaebul Painting, a folding screen of Sinbeop Cheonmundo, and a bronze bell.
In the Year of the Red Horse, or Byeong-O Year, 52 temples nationwide organized various special New Year programs, including nature exploration, meditation camps, and classical Chinese lectures until February.
Beopjusa Temple in Boeun offers winter vacation temple stays for families, featuring activities like children's meditation and treasure hunts.
King Seonjo, who reigned during the Imjin War, had a keen interest in painting and the arts.
At the Beopjusa Seongbo Museum, you can find a folding screen personally written by Seonjo, consisting of eight panels with various poems.
The historical significance of Buddhism is profound, having played a key role in the establishment of the state systems of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje.
The entrance of Beopjusa features impressive artifacts related to Buddhist attire.
These artifacts symbolize Buddhism, including relics and scriptures placed inside statues, along with gold, silver, and other treasures.
Beopjusa is particularly noted for its numerous paintings.
Its Gwaebul Painting and various Buddhist paintings from the late Joseon period embody the Buddhist worldview.
The Gwaebul Painting features a bodhisattva holding flower branches, filling a canvas over six meters tall.
Buddhism's longevity in this land is attributed to its integration with existing local beliefs, leading to unique artworks.
Various Buddhist paintings, such as Chilseongdo and Doksungtaeng, reflect this blend.
Since the founding of Beopjusa by the monk Uisin during the Silla Dynasty, numerous eminent monks have safeguarded the temple.
Later, during the Imjin War, Master Samyeong rebuilt the temple after its destruction.
After exploring the Seongbo Museum, I wandered through the park created below.
The historical records of Beopjusa, known as Soksil Mountain Beopjusa Records, were compiled several times from 1630 to 1873.
The Seongbo Museum showcases the precious values of Beopjusa, preserving traditions that nearly vanished.
Food nourishes the body, culture enriches the spirit, and records pass knowledge to future generations, a lesson I quietly absorbed here.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/cbkb21/224148601268
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