Bongeunsa Temple – 봉은사 (Gangnam, Seoul)

The Serene Mireuk-bul at Bongeunsa Temple in Gangnam, Seoul.

Hello Again Everyone!!

Bongeunsa Temple was first established in 794 A.D. by the monk, Yeonhoei, and it was first known as Gyeongseongsa Temple. Later, in 1498, under Queen Jeonghyeon (1462-1530), the temple was refurbished and renamed Bongeunsa Temple. Originally, the temple was located a further one kilometer southwest of its present location, but was relocated during King Myeongjong’s reign (r.1545-1567). More recently, Bongeunsa Temple is in dispute with the Seoul municipal government in potentially relocating it from its posh Gangnam neighbourhood.

Bongeunsa Temple is nestled next to Coex on the south shores of the Han River. You first approach the temple past the Jinyeomun Gate that houses the rather peculiar looking Four Heavenly Kings. Just past this gate, and a little to the right, is a stupa field of past prominent monks from Bongeunsa Temple.

A little further up the paved pathway, and you’ll pass under the large sized Beopwang Dharma Hall. Straight ahead, and up a set of stairs, is the main hall that’s fronted by hundreds of white paper lanterns and a three tier pagoda. Just to the right of the main hall is the historic Seonbul-dang, which formerly held the monks’ exam. Presently, it looks to be the Gwaneeum-jeon, with a serenely crowned Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) sitting on the main altar. As for the main hall itself, and adorning the exterior walls, are two sets of paintings: the Shimu-do and Palsang-do murals, as well as a few scary guardian murals. Sitting on the main altar inside the main hall, which is almost always busy with devotees, are a triad of statues. Sitting in the centre is Seokgamoni-bul, who is joined on either side by Yaksayore-bul (The Medicine Buddha) and Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise).

To the right of the main hall, and just past the Seonbul-dang, is the Jijang-jeon. The exterior walls to this beautiful hall are adorned with judgment murals, the Ten Kings of the Underworld, as well as Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). Inside this hall, the walls are lined with murals dedicated to the Ten Kings of the Underworld. On the far left wall hangs a Gamno-do mural and sitting on the main altar is a green haired Jijang-bosal.

To the left of the main hall, and up a flight of stairs, are a collection of shrine halls. To the far right is the Yeongsan-jeon (Vulture Peak Hall). In the centre sits the Bukgeukbo-jeon, which is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). And the remaining hall is the Yeong-gak, which houses murals dedicated to master monks.

But the crown jewel of the temple is the massive statue dedicated to Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). The 23 metre tall statue of Mireuk-bul looks out over the city of Seoul with a serene smile on his face. At the base of the statue are an assortment of Vajra warriors to help protect the Buddha from any harm. You can get some pretty amazing pictures of Seoul from this vantage point. The statue is fronted by an open Mireuk-jeon Hall.

HOW TO GET THERE: On the Seoul subway system, you’ll need to take Line 2 to Samseong Station and go out exit #6 to get to the temple. Once you’ve exited the station, you’ll need to go straight for 600 metres and turn left. From there, you’ll need to cross the street and travel an additional 150 metres to get to Bongeunsa Temple.

OVERALL RATING:8.5/10.For such a centrally located temple in the heart of Gangnam, Bongeunsa Temple is rather large in size. The temple houses a handful of temple halls that can be visited at any given time. Some of the more notable halls that should be visited are the Daeung-jeon and the Jijang-jeon. The views are spectacular, as is the massive statue of Mireuk-bul, that overlooks the downtown core of Seoul.