Beomeosa (Temple of the Nirvana Fish) is a head temple of the
Jogye Order
The Jogye Order, officially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (대한불교조계종, 大韓佛敎 曹溪宗), is the representative order of traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1200 years to the Later Silla National Master D ...
of
Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what its early practitioners saw as inconsistencies within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions that they received from foreign countries. To address this, the ...
in
Cheongnyong-dong,
Geumjeong-gu
Geumjeong District is a district in north central Busan, South Korea. Approximately 7.3% of Busan's population is in Geumjeong-gu.
The Hoedong Reservoir is located on the district's eastern boundary, and the mountain Geumjeongsan on the west ...
,
Busan
Busan (), officially known as is South Korea's most populous city after Seoul, with a population of over 3.4 million inhabitants. Formerly romanized as Pusan, it is the economic, cultural and educational center of southeastern South Korea, w ...
,
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
. Built on the slopes of
Geumjeongsan
Geumjeongsan (or Geumjeong Mountain) is a mountain in the city of Busan in South Korea. It covers a large surface that extends into Dongnae-gu in the south, Buk-gu in the west, Geumjeong-gu in the east, and the city of Yangsan in the north. Its ...
, it is one of the country's best known urban temples.
Origin of name
The mountain where Beomeosa is found is said to have huge rock at the summit where there is a golden well which never, ever dries up. The water of this well is believed to have very special magical properties as one day a golden fish came from heaven and has lived there ever since.
Beom(범;梵) =
Nirvāṇa - eo(어;魚) =
fish
Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% of li ...
- sa(사;寺) = temple. Thus the name of the temple came to be "Heavenly Fish." It is also claimed that the fish came from Nirvana, the Buddhist state of non-suffering. Therefore, the temple also became known as "The temple where fish from Nirvana Play."
On December 26, 2011, the Los Angeles Times printed a story of the fighting monks at this temple. South Korean Buddhist monk Ando demonstrates
Sunmudo
Sunmudo (/, literally ''the way of war of the Seon'') is a Korean Buddhist martial art based on Seon (also spelled Sun or Zen), which was revived during the 1970s and 1980s. The formal name of Sunmudo is ''Bulgyo Geumgang Yeong Gwan'' (Hangul: ...
martial arts techniques. Monks from Beomeosa Temple are famed for defeating Japanese invaders during the late 16th century and again during the Japanese occupation of Korea in the early 20th century.
History
Beomeosa Temple (Korean: 범어사, Chinese: 梵魚寺, Pronounced “Beo-meo-sa”) is located on Mt. Geumjeongsan in Busan, and was established in 678 as one of the ten major temples of the Avatamsaka School. According to the Sinjeung dongguk yeoji seungnam (新增東國輿地勝覽; Revised Academic Geography for the Eastern Country), a golden fish descended from heaven and frolicked in a well on this mountaintop. Thus, the mountain was named “Geumjeongsan (金井山; literally ‘Golden Well Mountain’),” and the temple built on it was named “Beomeosa (梵魚寺; literally ‘Spiritual Fish Temple’).”
As it was established by decree of King Munmu, Beomeosa Temple began on 360 gyeol of land and had 360 dormitory rooms. However, it was almost reduced to ashes during the Japanese invasion (1592-1597). Later, in 1613, monks like Ven. Myojeon and Ven. Haemin renovated some of its Dharma halls and the dormitory. The Main Buddha Hall and One Pillar Gate are known to have been built at that time.
Beomeosa Temple is considered one of the three major temples in southeast Korea, along with
Haeinsa Temple and
Tongdosa Temple. Its strong Seon Buddhist spirit has earned it the title “Great Headquarters Temple of
Seon Buddhism
Seon or Sŏn Buddhism (Korean: 선, 禪; IPA: ʌn is the Korean name for Chan Buddhism, a branch of Mahāyāna Buddhism commonly known in English as Zen Buddhism. Seon is the Sino-Korean pronunciation of Chan () an abbreviation of 禪那 ('' ...
.” Seon Master
Gyeongheo
Kyong Ho Seonsa (Korean: 경허선사, Hanja: 鏡虛禪師, 1849–1912) was a famous Korea Sŏn master, and the 75th Patriarch of Korean Sŏn. His original name was Song Tonguk (송동욱, 宋東旭); and his dharma name was Sŏng’u (성우, ...
, an eminent monk of modern times, opened a Seon center at Beomeosa in 1900. Inspired by Ven. Gyeongheo, Seongwol, then abbot of Beomeosa, taught the Seon tradition by establishing Seon centers and Seon assemblies in Beomeosa's six hermitages in the span of 10 years as follows: Geumgangam in 1899; Anyangam in 1900; Gyemyeongam in 1902; Wonhyoam in 1906; Ansimnyo in 1909; and Daeseongam in 1910.
Eminent monks who have lived at the temple include Great Masters
Uisang
Uisang (625–702) was one of the most eminent early Silla Korean scholar-monks, a close friend of Wonhyo (元曉).
He traveled to China, studying at Mount Zhongnan as a student of the influential Huayan master Zhiyan (智儼) and as a senior ...
, Pyohun, Nangbaek, Myeonghak, Gyeongheo,
Yongseong
Baek Yongseong Jinjong (Korean: 용성 진종, Hanja: 龍城 震鍾, 1864—1940) was an important Korean Buddhist master who helped propagate Buddhism in Korea. Primarily grounded in the Seon tradition, he also set about teaching others of Pure ...
,
Manhae
Han Yong-un ( ko, 한용운; August 29, 1879 – June 29, 1944) was a twentieth century Korean Buddhist reformer and poet. This name was his religious name, given by his meditation instructor in 1905, and Manhae (만해) was his pen name; his ...
and Dongsan. Even today, Beomeosa Temple teaches serious Buddhist practice. In 2012, the temple was designated a Geumjeong Chongnim, one of eight comprehensive monastic training complexes for the
Jogye Order
The Jogye Order, officially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (대한불교조계종, 大韓佛敎 曹溪宗), is the representative order of traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1200 years to the Later Silla National Master D ...
of
Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what its early practitioners saw as inconsistencies within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions that they received from foreign countries. To address this, the ...
, and its first spiritual patriarch is Master Jiyu.
Landscape
The superb scenery of Mt. Geumjeongsan and Beomeosa Temple are called the “three extraordinary sites of Beomeosa Temple” and “eight scenic wonders of Mt. Geumjeongsan.” The three extraordinary sites are: the rock peak behind Wonhyoam Hermitage; two rocks in the shape of a chicken at Gyemyeongam Hermitage; and the legendary “golden well” on top of Mt. Geumjeongsan.
The eight scenic wonders refer to: the pine forest around Eosan Bridge at the entrance of the temple; moonlit autumn nights at Gyemyeongam Hermitage; rain at night at Cheongnyeonam Hermitage; the sound of the temple bell heard from Naewonam Hermitage; the murmuring of the mountain stream at Daeseongam Hermitage; late autumn foliage at Geumgangam Hermitage; the view of the sea from Uisang Peak; and the clouds encircling Godang Peak, the summit of Mt. Geumjeongsan.
Treasures
Well before reaching the Beomeosa Temple compound, visitors first see Jogyemun (Treasure No. 1461), the One Pillar Gate. All of its four pillars have short wooden columns sitting on high stone bases.
Around the temple is a mass of wild wisteria, consisting of over 6,500 plants (Natural Monument No. 176). Every year in late spring, their lavender blossoms create an extraordinary sight, unseen anywhere else in Korea. That's why this valley has been called since ancient times “Deungungok (藤雲谷; ‘Wisteria Blossom Valley’).”
The temple complex has several buildings and other objects which are designated as official treasures:
* Treasure 250 - Three Story Stone Pagoda. This pagoda dates back to the Unified Shilla era probably erected as part of the original temple that was destroyed by fire in 1592. Only the top three-stories are from the Shilla where the base and fence are later additions.
* Treasure 434 - ''
Daeungjeon
A Mahavira Hall, usually simply known as a Main Hall, is the main hall or building in a traditional Chinese Buddhist temple, enshrining representations of Gautama Buddha and various other buddhas and bodhisattvas. It is encountered throughout ...
'', the main temple hall, was built in 1614 after the temple was burned down during the Japanese invasion of 1592. Major renovations of Daeungjeon were undertaken in 1713, 1814 and 1871.
* Tangible Cultural Asset 2 - Iljumun. The first gate to the temple, called the "One Pillar Gate" because when viewed from the side the gate appears to be supported by a single pillar, symbolizing the one true path of enlightenment, supporting the world.
* Tangible Cultural Assets 11 and 12 - Wonhyoam Eastern Pagoda and Wonhyoam Western Pagoda. Wonhyoam (hermitage) is located to the south of Beomeosa and is the site of these two pagodas. This the site of the former residence of the famous Shilla monk, Wonhyo.
* Tangible Cultural Asset 15 - Flag Pole Holder. These two very old stone structures, called a jiju, were used to support a flagpole between them. The stones are found on the path up to Beomeosa's main gate.
* Tangible Cultural Asset 16 - Stone Lamp. This lamp dates back to the Unified Shilla era and was part of the original temple that was destroyed by fire in 1592.
Gallery - Main Temple
Image:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa 6236-07 Three Stroried Pagoda.JPG, Treasure 250 - Beomeosa Three Story Stone Pagoda
A pagoda is an Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist but sometimes Taoist, ...
built some time between 826-836, during the Silla
Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms of K ...
era.
File:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa-Daeungjeon-01.jpg, Treasure 434 - Beomeosa Daeungjeon, the main temple hall, built in 1614 after the temple was burned down during the Japanese invasions. Major remodellings of this building were undertaken in 1713, 1814 and 1871.
Image:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa Iljumun 6410-07.JPG, Tangible Cultural Asset 2 - Beomeosa Iljumun
Iljumun is the first gate at the entrance to many Korean Buddhist temples. Called the "One-Pillar Gate", because when viewed from the side the gate appears to be supported by a single pillar.
Description
The Iljumun is one of the three major ty ...
. The first gate to the temple, called the "One-Pillar
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a structural element that transmits, through compression (physical), compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. In other words, a column i ...
Gate", because when viewed from the side the gate appears to be supported by a single pillar symbolizing the one true path of enlightenment which supports the world, built originally in 1614.
Image:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa 3299-06 Stone Lantern.JPG, Tangible Cultural Asset 16 - Beomeosa Stone Lamp dates back to the Silla era and was part of the original temple that was destroyed by fire in 1592.
Image:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa Seven Storied Pagoda 6227-07 Seven Storied Pagoda.JPG, Beomeosa Seven Story Stone Pagoda is relatively recent addition and contains a Sari
A sari (sometimes also saree or shari)The name of the garment in various regional languages include:
* as, শাৰী, xārī, translit-std=ISO
* bn, শাড়ি, śāṛi, translit-std=ISO
* gu, સાડી, sāḍī, translit-std= ...
of the Buddha
Siddhartha Gautama, most commonly referred to as the Buddha, was a śramaṇa, wandering ascetic and religious teacher who lived in South Asia during the 6th or 5th century BCE and founded Buddhism.
According to Buddhist tradition, he was ...
. The four corners of the base of the pagoda are guarded by stone sculptures of the Four Heavenly Kings. Beomeosa's museum sets behind the pagoda.
Image:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa 6214-07 Cheonwangmun.JPG, Beomeosa's second gate, Beomeosa Cheonwangmun, or Gate of the Four Heavenly Kings
The Four Heavenly Kings are four Buddhist gods, each of whom is believed to watch over one cardinal direction of the world. In Chinese mythology, they are known collectively as the "Fēng Tiáo Yǔ Shùn" () or "Sìdà Tiānwáng" (). In the a ...
was originally built in 1699 and houses the four kings or divas guarding the entrance to the temple.
Image:Korea-Busan-Beomeosa 6221-07 Burimun.JPG, Beomeosa's third gate, Beomeosa Burimun, or Gate of Non-Duality
Nondualism, also called nonduality and nondual awareness, is a fuzzy concept originating in Indian philosophy and religion for which many definitions can be found, including: nondual awareness, the nonduality of seer and seen or nondiffer ...
was originally built in 1699. This is the final gate before entering the main temple compound symbolizing the concept that the realm of the Buddha and this world are the same.
Image:Beomeosa-temple-busan-tortoises.jpg, Stele
A stele ( ),Anglicized plural steles ( ); Greek plural stelai ( ), from Greek , ''stēlē''. The Greek plural is written , ''stēlai'', but this is only rarely encountered in English. or occasionally stela (plural ''stelas'' or ''stelæ''), whe ...
s along the pathway leading to the entrance to Beomeosa.
Hermitages
* Chungryungam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
* Naewonam (Buddha's Celestial Teaching Hall Hermitage)
* Kyemyongam (Rooster's Crow Hermitage)
* Daesongam (Great Saint Hermitage)
* Geumgangam (Diamond Hermitage)
* Anyangam (Peace Nurturing Hermitage)
* Mirukam (Maitreya Hermitage)
* Wonhyoam (Former hermitage residence of the famous monk, Wonhyo)
* Sajaam (Lion Hermitage)
* Mansongam (Great Teacher Hermitage)
* Chijangam (Ksitigarbha Hermitage)
Tourism
It also offers
temple stay
Temple Stay is cultural program in several South Korean Buddhist temples. Temple Stay allows participants to experience the life of Buddhist practitioners and learn the various aspects of Korean Buddhist culture and history through stories told by ...
programs where visitors can experience Buddhist culture.
Beomeosa Temple stay program
Gallery - Chungryungam
Image:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6292-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
Image:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6306-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
Image:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6299-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
File:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6303-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
File:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6310-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
File:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6313-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
File:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6324-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
File:Korea-Busan-Chungryunam 6344-07.JPG, Chungryunam (Blue Lotus Hermitage)
See also
* Jogye Order
The Jogye Order, officially the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (대한불교조계종, 大韓佛敎 曹溪宗), is the representative order of traditional Korean Buddhism with roots that date back 1200 years to the Later Silla National Master D ...
* Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what its early practitioners saw as inconsistencies within the Mahayana Buddhist traditions that they received from foreign countries. To address this, the ...
* Korean Buddhist temples
Buddhist temples are an important part of the Korean landscape. This article gives a brief overview of Korean Buddhism, then describes some of the more important temples in Korea. Most Korean temples have names ending in ''-sa'' (사, 寺), which ...
* Temple Stay
Temple Stay is cultural program in several South Korean Buddhist temples. Temple Stay allows participants to experience the life of Buddhist practitioners and learn the various aspects of Korean Buddhist culture and history through stories told by ...
* Three Jewel Temples of Korea
The Three Jewels Temples (삼보사찰, Sambosachal) are the three principal Buddhist temples in Korea, each representing one of the Three Jewels of Buddhism, and all located in South Korea.
Tongdosa in South Gyeongsang Province represents the ...
References
External links
Official site, in Korean
Asian Historical Architecture: Beomeosa
* {{Osmway, 131922091
Religious organizations established in the 7th century
Religious buildings and structures in Busan
Buddhist temples in South Korea
Buddhist temples of the Jogye Order
Fish in Buddhism
Tourist attractions in Busan
Geumjeong District
7th-century establishments in Korea
Religious buildings and structures completed in 678
7th-century Buddhist temples