Bongwonsa (Korean봉원사; also Bongwon Temple) is a South Korean Buddhist temple in Bongwon-dong, Seodaemun District, Seoul, South Korea.

Bongwonsa
Part of Bongwon Temple
Korean name
Hangul
봉원사
Hanja
奉元寺
Revised RomanizationBongwon-sa
McCune–ReischauerPongwŏnsa

Description

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It is located at the base of the mountain Ansan. It is the head temple of the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism.[1]

More than 50 monks live at the temple and are engaged in education and social welfare work.

History

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It was founded in 889 by Master Doseon at where Yonsei University is now located. The temple was moved to its present location in 1748.[1]

Part of the temple was destroyed in 1950 during the Korean War.[1] In 1966 a new hall was built, but this was later moved to another part of the city. In 1991, while a new Hall of 3000 Buddhas was being built, a fire destroyed the Main Buddha Hall, which was rebuilt in 1994.

 
Bonwongsa hall of 3000 Buddha's
 
Bonwongsa hall of 3000 Buddha's - interior

In the summer of 2004, it was discovered that serial killer Yoo Young-chul had buried around eleven bodies of his victims near the temple.

Sixteen Arhat statues

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16 Arhat statues at Bonwongsa.

In the garden of the Buddhist Temple one can find 16 white statues. These are the 16 Arhat - the Enlightened ones. In Theravada Buddhism and in Mahayana Buddhism, the Arhat (saint) has attained enlightenment and may choose to guide others or not.[citation needed]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c 조, 용길, "봉원사 (奉元寺)", Encyclopedia of Korean Culture (in Korean), Academy of Korean Studies, retrieved 2024-06-18
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37°31′N 126°56′E / 37.517°N 126.933°E / 37.517; 126.933