Seongbulsa Temple – 성불사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)

A first look inside the beautiful and modern main hall at Seongbulsa Temple.

Hello Again Everyone!!

Up a side-winding road that hugs a dry riverbed is Seongbulsa Temple. This small temple to the south of Tongdosa Temple lacks in size, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in originality.

When you first arrive, other than being greeted by a barking dog that wanders, you’ll be greeted by a pond with a Buddha statue in the centre of a stone lotus pedestal. This statue is surrounded by all twelve of thezodiac generals. To the left of this rustic pond is a stone marker with red painting in both Korean and Chinese characters with the temple name written on it. To the right is the temple’s visitors’ centre.

To the right of the visitors’ centre is the modern looking main hall. In front of the main hall is an expansive deck that looks out onto the dry riverbed. Around the exterior of the main hall are rather amateurish looking paintings of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). However, this amateurishness quickly fades away as soon as you enter the main hall. Sitting on the main altar, and in the centre of the triad, is a beautifully robed statue of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). On the left wall is a beautifully ornate black-backed guardian painting. To the left and right of the main altar are dozens of tiny Buddha and Bodhisattva statues. On the right wall, on the right hand side, is a beautiful statue and painting of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). He’s joined by a row of miniature statues of himself (green hair and all). To the left of Jijang-bosal is one of the more originally painted murals of the Dragon Ship of Wisdom.

To the right of the main hall is really the hidden treasure to the entire temple. On the outside it appears to be nothing more than a Sanshin-gak shaman shrine hall; however, it’s really so much more. The Sanshin-gak is decorated with some amateurish murals that symbolize Sanshin. On the right is a painting of a monk with a tiger, and on the left is a fiercely rendered painting of just a tiger. Inside this hall, you’ll be greeted by a pair of paintings. The one on the right is Sanshin. Not only is there a big and beautiful painting of Sanshin, but there’s an even more impressive statue of Sanshin in front of the painting. To the left of Sanshin is a painting that is somewhat hidden by a couple of artificial bouquets. The painting is a rendering ofDangun Wanggeom. Dangun was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, which was the first Korean kingdom. He founded this kingdom in 2333 B.C. around Liaoning, Northeast China, and the Korean Peninsula. It is extremely rare to see Dangun inside a Buddhist temple. However, much like the neighbouring Sinbulsa Templein south-western Ulsan, this painting seems to have been painted by the same artist.

HOW TO GET THERE: From the Yangsan Subway Station walk to Emart. From there, you’ll find a bus stop where you’ll find Bus #10. This bus doesn’t come all that often, but when you do finally board it, ride it for 12 stops or 23 minutes. Get off at the Daewoo Marina Gamgyel maeul stop. Walk for about 10 minutes, or 675 metres, towards Seongbulsa Temple.

OVERALL RATING: 4.5/10. This temple is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It’s neither too close to Tongdosa Temple, nor is it too close to downtown Yangsan. As a result, this temple is a bit difficult to get to. But if you’re willing to spend the time to get to Seongbulsa Temple, you won’t be disappointed by some of the temple artwork. The highlight of this temple, by far, is the Dangun Wanggeom painting in the Sanshin-gak. It’s rare to find a painting of this founding Korean king; but when you do, it’s definitely a nice surprise. Added to this highlight is the beautifully robed statue of Amita-bul, the painting of the Dragon Ship of Wisdom, as well as the pond at the temple.