The view from the main hall out onto the South Sea at Bomunsa Temple in Jeju-do Island.
Hello Again Everyone!!
On the south-west side of Jeju-do Island rests a smaller-sized temple. Sheltered by the bubbling Mt. Sanbangsan, Bomunsa Temple has a commanding view of the South Sea and the tiny islands that dot the horizon.
You first approach the temple past a crowded parking lot and up a set of wide stairs. The temple, much like the famed mountain, is frequented by numerous tourists throughout the day. The first thing to greet you when you enter the temple courtyard is the rather large main hall. Out in front of the main hall is a beautifully sculpted statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), as well as a five-tier stone pagoda and a misspelt dharma wheel with the Eightfold Path written on it. As for the main hall itself, and sitting on the main altar, is a triad of statues centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). He’s joined on either side by Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) and Gwanseeum-bosal. Just behind this statue, and still resting on the main altar, are hundreds of smaller-sized white Buddha statues. On the far left wall hangs a black Gamno-do mural for the dead.
To the right of the main hall, and past the temple’s bell pavilion and visitors’ centre, sit a line of stone Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) statues. From where they sit, you can get an amazing view of the South Sea from this vantage point. A little further along, and you’ll see the Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall that rests inside a cave. The paintings are rather plain in design, but the building is anything but ordinary.
One of the final things a visitor can see at Bomunsa Temple in Jeju-do is the massive, golden, statue dedicated to Yaksayore-bul (The Medicine Buddha). Yaksayore-bul serenely looks towards the main hall and welcomes any and all visitors to the temple. Just a little up the mountainside, and as you head towards the peak of Mt. Sanbangsan, you’ll see a triad of life-sized stone statues dedicated to Seokgamoni-bul, Bohyun-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power), and Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom).
HOW TO GET THERE: From the Seogwipo Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to take bus #702 for 22 stops. The ride should last about an hour and eleven minutes, and you’ll need to get off at the Sanbangsan bus stop. From this stop, you’ll be able to see the temple on the mountain with the golden Buddha statue to the right.
OVERALL RATING: 5/10. Bomunsa Temple is a bit of a difficult temple to rate because it’s housed next to two other temples in the immediate vicinity. But if you’re just to look at Bomunsa Temple, it’s a pretty nice place to visit; however, when you include the others, Sanbangsa Temple and Sanbanggulsa Temple, it can make for quite the nice little part of a day trip in Jeju-do.
The rounded Mt. Sanbangsan.
The main hall and Buddhist artistry at Bomunsa Temple.
A look inside the main hall.
The beautiful view of the South Sea at Bomunsa Temple.
The Nahan statues with perhaps one of the best views in Korea.
The Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall at Bomunsa Temple.
A look inside the shaman cave.
The serene Yaksayore-bul at the temple.
The triad of statues as you make your way up Mt. Sanbangsan.
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