Buddhist temples are an important part of the Korean landscape. Most Korean temples have names ending in -sa (Korean: 사; Hanja: 寺), which means "monastery" in Sino-Korean. Many temples participate in the Templestay program, where visitors can experience Buddhist culture and even stay at the temple overnight.[1]
A distinctive form of Buddhism evolved in Korea. This was facilitated by the geographical location and cultural conditions. Buddhism first arrived in Korea in 372 in Goguryeo. In 374 the influential Han Chinese monk Ado arrived in the kingdom and inspired King Sosurim of Goguryeo the following year. The first two temples Seongmunsa and Ilbullansa were built in 375 on the order of the king. Buddhism soon became the national religion of Goguryeo.
With the advent of Taoism in 624 the rulers began to suppress Buddhism and its importance quickly declined. The Baekje Kingdom, on the other hand, flourished under the influence of Buddhism. In 552 Buddhist scriptures were sent to Japan. This eventually led to the establishment of Buddhism in Japan.
InSilla, Buddhism was important, too. It flourished during the reign of Jinheung of Silla (540 to 576). Heungnyunsa was built, where any commoner could become a monk. The study of scriptures was greatly highlighted. For about 250 years Buddhism thrived in Later Silla.
Buddhism was admired by Wang Geon, who was enthroned as Taejo of Goryeo. Throughout the country pagodas and other Buddhist structures were built.
In late Goryeo, Buddhism became linked with corruption of the regime. A great number of monks were involved in politics. Bit by bit anti-Buddhist sentiments grew, leading to chaos which was ended by the establishment of Joseon. Taejo of Joseon himself was a devout Buddhist, but the influence of monks was reduced. At times monks were treated as outcasts, but generally there was no hindrance to their practising. Buddhist heritage can be found all over the country in the form of temples, pagodas, sculptures, paintings, handicrafts and buildings.
A typical Korean temple consists of the following elements:[2]
It is reported that many temples have been taken over by the state. Once the government controls these buildings, they are used mainly as museums of ancient Korean traditions. A few temples are still in use and they are considered National Treasures. Though few temples in large cities survived the US carpet bombings of the Korean War, many still survive in rural areas, and some of the more famous, large temples destroyed have since been rebuilt (such as the Ryongtongsa and Singyesa). All in all, there are 300 temples.[4]
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There are about 900 traditional Buddhist temples in South Korea, out of about 20,000 Buddhist temples in total.[5]
The following list is sorted by Romanized names, but it also can be sorted by Korean names, by provinces (SK=South Korea, NK=North Korea), or by counties (i.e. gunorsi). Some Korean names, and founding dates are to be completed (the founding date applies to the location, even if none of the original structures survive). A star in the first column denotes the 31 head temples designated during the Japanese colonial period. Recommended policy: no new entries, except from temples having their own English page in Wikipedia.
* | Province | Temple | Location | County | Hangeul | Hanja | Founded |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NKSouth Hamgyong | Anbulsa | Tonghung-ri | Kumya-gun | 안불사 | 安佛寺 | ||
NKKangwon | Anbyon Pohyonsa | Ryongsin-ri | Anbyŏn-gun | 보현사 | 普賢寺 | ||
NKSouth Pyongan | Anguksa | Ponghak-dong | Pyongsong-si | 안국사 | 安國寺 | 503 | |
NKNorth Hwanghae | Anhwasa | Koryo-dong | Kaesong-si | 안화사 | 安和寺 | 930 | |
* | SKSouth Jeolla | Baegyangsa | Bukha-myeon | Jangseong-gun | 백양사 | 白羊寺 | 632 |
SKGangwon | Baekdamsa | near Seoraksan | Inje-gun | 백담사 | 百潭寺 | 650 circa | |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Baekryulsa in Gyeongju | Geumgangsan, Dongcheon-dong | Gyeongju-si | 백률사 | 栢栗寺 | 692 | |
SKSouth Jeolla | Baengnyeonsa | Doam-myeon | Gangjin-gun | 백련사 | 白蓮寺 | 650 circa | |
* | SKSouth Gyeongsang | Beomeosa | Geumjeongsan | Busan-si | 범어사 | 梵魚寺 | 678 |
SKJeju Island | Beophwasa | - | - | ||||
* | SKNorth Chungcheong | Beopjusa | Songnisan, Naesongni-myeon | Boeun-gun | 법주사 | 法住寺 | 553 |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Bogyeongsa | - | - | ||||
SKGyeonggi | Bomunsa | - | - | ||||
* | SKSeoul | Bongeunsa | Samseong-dong | Gangnam-gu | 봉은사 | 奉恩寺 | 794 |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Bongjeongsa | Cheondeungsan | Andong-si | 봉정사 | 鳳停寺 | 672 | |
SKGyeonggi | Bongnyeongsa | - | - | ||||
* | SKGyeonggi | Bongseonsa | Jinjeop-eup | Namyangju | 봉선사 | 奉先寺 | 969 |
SKSeoul | Bongwonsa | Bongwon-dong | Seodaemun-gu | 봉원사 | 奉元寺 | 889 | |
* | SKNorth Jeolla | Boseoksa? | - | - | 보석사 | 寶石寺 | |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Bulguksa (and Seokguram) | Tohamsan, Jinheon-dong | Gyeongju-si | 불국사 | 佛國寺 | 528 and 751 | |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Buseoksa | Bonghwangsan | Yeongju-si | 부석사 | 浮石寺 | 676 | |
NKSouth Hwanghae | Chahyesa | Sowon-ri | Sinchon-gun | 자혜사 | 慈惠寺 | ||
NKKangwon | Changansa× | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 장안사 | 長安寺 | ||
SKGangwon | Cheongpyeongsa | - | - | ||||
NKSouth Hamgyong | Chonggwangsa× | Wonsa-ri | Riwon-gun | 정광사 | 定光寺 | ||
NKSouth Pyongan | Chongjinsa | Hyangpung-ri | Songchon-gun | 정진사 | 淨進寺 | ||
NKPyongyang | Chongrungsa* | Ryongsan-ri | Ryokpo-guyok | 정릉사 | 定陵寺 | ||
NKKangwon | Chongyangsa | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 정양사 | 正陽寺 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Chonjusa | Yangsan | Yongbyon-gun | 천주사 | 天柱寺 | 1684 | |
NKRyanggang | Chunghŭngsa | Kwanp'yŏng-ri | Samsu-gun | 중흥사 | 重興寺 | ||
* | SKSouth Jeolla | Daeheungsa | Duryunsan, Samsan city | Haenam-gun | 대흥사 | 大興寺 | 514 ? |
SKGangwon | Deungmyeong-nakgasa | - | - | ||||
* | SKNorth Gyeongsang | Donghwasa | Palgongsan, Dohak-dong, Dong-gu | Daegu-si | 동화사 | 桐華寺 | 493 and 832 |
SKSeoul | Doseonsa | Bukhansan : 264 Ui-dong | Gangbuk-gu | 도선사 | 道詵寺 | 862 | |
* | SKNorth Gyeongsang | Eunhaesa? | Cheongtong-myeon | Yeongcheon | 은해사 | 銀海寺 | |
SKNorth Jeolla | Eunsusa | Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain) | Jinan-gun | 은수사 | 銀水寺 | ||
* | SKGangwon | Geonbongsa* | ??? | Goseong-gun | 건봉사 | 乾鳳寺 | |
SKNorth Jeolla | Geumdangsa | Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain) | Jinan-gun | 금당사 | 金塘寺 | 814 | |
SKNorth Jeolla | Geumsansa | Moaksan | Gimje-si | 금산사 | 金山寺 | 600 and 770 | |
SKSouth Jeolla | Geumtapsa | Cheondeungsan, Podu-myeon | Goheung-gun | 금탑사 | 金塔寺 | 650 circa | |
* | SKNorth Gyeongsang | Gimryongsa? | - | - | 김룡사 | 金龍寺 | |
* | SKNorth Gyeongsang | Girimsa | Hamwolsan | Gyeongju-si | 기림사 | 祇林寺 | 643 |
* | SKNorth Gyeongsang | Go-unsa ? | - | - | 고운사 | 孤雲寺 | |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Golgulsa | Yangbuk-Myeon | Gyeongju-si | 골굴사 | 骨窟寺 | * | |
SKNorth Chungcheong | Guinsa | Sobaeksan | Danyang-gun | 구인사 | 救仁寺 | 1945 | |
SKGangwon | Guryongsa | - | - | ||||
SKSeoul | Gwaneumsa (Seoul) | - | - | 관음사 | 觀音寺 | ||
SKJeju Island | Gwaneumsa (Jeju) | - | - | ||||
SKSeoul | Gyeongguksa | 753 Jeongneung-dong | Jongno-gu | 경국사 | 慶國寺 | 1325 | |
NKNorth Pyongan | Habiro Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 하비로암 | 下毘盧庵 | ||
SKSouth Gyeongsang | Haedong Yonggungsa | ??? | Busan-si | 해동용궁사 | 海東龍宮寺 | ||
* | SKSouth Gyeongsang | Haeinsa | Gayasan | Hapcheon-gun | 해인사 | 海印寺 | 802 |
NKSouth Hwanghae | Hakrimsa× | Hakrim-ri | Changyon-gun | 학림사 | 鶴林寺 | ||
NKSouth Hwanghae | Hanging Hermitage | Changsusan, Sorim-ri | Chaeryong-gun | 현암 | 縣庵 | ||
NKSouth Hamgyong | Hungbok Hermitage | Sudong-ri | Hamhung-si | 흥복암 | 興復庵 | ||
NKNorth Hwanghae | Hungwangsa× | Sambong-ri | Kaepung-gun | 흥왕사 | 興王寺 | ||
* | SKSouth Jeolla | Hwaeomsa | Jirisan, Masan-myeon | Gurye-gun | 화엄사 | 華嚴寺 | 544 |
NKNorth Pyongan | Hwajang Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 화장암 | 華藏庵 | ||
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Hwangnyongsa | Tohamsan | Gyeongju National Park | 황룡사 | 皇龍寺 | 553 | |
NKNorth Hamgyong | Hwasong Ssanggyesa | Puam-ri | Myonggan-gun | 쌍계사 | 雙磎寺 | ||
SKGyeonggi | Jajaeam | - | - | ||||
* | SKGyeonggi | Jeondeungsa | ??? | Ganghwa-gun | 전등사 | 傳燈寺 | |
SKSouth Jeolla | Jeungsimsa | Mudeungsan | Gwangju-si | 증심사 | 証心寺 | ||
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Jikjisa | Hwangaksan, Daehang-myeon | Gimcheon-si | 직지사 | 直指寺 | 418 | |
SKSeoul | Jingwansa | - | - | 진관사 | 津寬寺 | ||
SKSeoul | Jogyesa | Gyeonji-dong | Jongno-gu | 조계사 | 曹溪寺 | 1395 & 1910 | |
NKNorth Hamgyong | Kaesimsa | Pochon-ri | Myongchon-gun | 개심사 | 開心寺 | 826 and 1377 | |
NKNorth Pyongan | Kaewonsa | Tangsang-ri | Kwaksan-gun | 개원사 | 開元寺 | ||
NKSouth Hwanghae | Kangsosa | Kangho-ri | Paechon-gun | 강서사 | 江西寺 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Kumgwangsa | Kumgwang-ri | Uiju-gun | 금광사 | 金光寺 | ||
NKPyongyang | Kwangbopsa* | Taesong-dong | Taesong-guyok | 광법사 | 廣法寺 | ||
NKSouth Hamgyong | Kwangjesa | Chuksang-ri | Pukchong-gun | 광제사 | 光濟寺 | ||
NKNorth Hwanghae | Kwanumsa | Pakyon-ri | Kaesong-si | 관음사 | 觀音寺 | 970 and 1393 | |
NKNorth Hwanghae | Kwijinsa | Songwol-ri | Sohung-gun | 귀진사 | 歸眞寺 | ||
* | NKSouth Hamgyong | Kwijusa× | Kumsil-dong | Hamhung-si | 귀주사 | 歸州寺 | |
NKNorth Pyongan | Kyejo Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 계조암 | 繼祖庵 | ||
* | SKSouth Chungcheong | Magoksa | Taehwasan | Gongju-si | 마곡사 | 麻谷寺 | 640 |
NKKangwon | Mahayon Hermitage× | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 마하연 | 摩訶衍 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Mannyonsa | Songan-dong | Kusong-si | 만년사 | 萬年寺 | ||
NKChagang | Mansu Hermitage | Changp'yong-ri | Huichon-si | 만수암 | 萬壽庵 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Mansu Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 만수암 | 萬壽庵 | ||
SKSouth Jeolla | Mihwangsa | Dalmasan | Haenam-gun | 미황사 | 美黃寺 | 749 | |
SKNorth Jeolla | Mireuksa | Geumma-myeon | Iksan-si | 미륵사 | 彌勒寺 | 602 | |
NKKangwon | Myongjoksa | Yongsam-ri | Wonsan-si | 명적사 | 明寂寺 | ||
SKNorth Jeolla | Naesosa | Jinseo-myeon | Buan-gun | 내소사 | 633 | ||
SKGangwon | Naksansa | Ganghyeon-myeon | Yangyang-gun | 낙산사 | 洛山寺 | 671 | |
NKNorth Pyongan | Nungin Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 능인암 | 能仁唵 | ||
SKGangwon | Oseam | Seoraksan | ??? | 오세암 | 五歲庵 | 643 | |
* | NKSouth Hwanghae | Paeyopsa× | Paeyop-ri | Anak-gun | 패엽사 | 貝葉寺 | |
SKNorth Gyeongsang | Pagyesa | Palgongsan | Daegu-si | 파계사 | 把溪寺 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Pakchon Simwonsa | Sangyang-ri | Pakchon-gun | 심원사 | 深源寺 | ||
NKPyongyang | Pobun Hermitage | Ryongbong-ri | Mangyongdae-guyok | 법운암 | 法雲庵 | ||
NKKangwon | Podok Hermitage | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 보덕암 | 普德庵 | ||
* | NKNorth Pyongan | Pohyonsa | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 보현사 | 普賢寺 | 1025 circa |
NKKangwon | Pomun Hermitage | Solbong-ri | Kosan-gun | 보덕암 | 普德庵 | ||
* | NKSouth Pyongan | Pophungsa | Sinsong-ri | Pyongwon-gun | 법흥사 | 法興寺 | |
NKNorth Pyongan | Powolsa | Uhyon-ri | Kujang-gun | 보월사 | 寶月寺 | ||
NKNorth Hwanghae | Pulilsa× | Sonjok-ri | Changpung-gun | 관음사 | 佛日寺 | ||
NKKangwon | Pulji Hermitage | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 불지암 | 佛地庵 | ||
NKSouth Hamgyong | Pulji Hermitage | Ponghung-ri | Yonggwang-gun | 불지암 | 佛地庵 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Puryong Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 불영대 | 佛影臺 | ||
NKKangwon | Pyohunsa | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 표훈사 | 表訓寺 | 670 | |
NKSouth Hamgyong | Ryangchonsa | Nakchon-ri | Kowon-gun | 량천사 | 梁泉寺 | ||
NKKangwon | Ryongchusa | Mihyon-ri | Anbyŏn-gun | 령추사 | 靈鷲寺 | ||
NKSouth Hamgyong | Ryonghungsa | Ponghung-ri | Yonggwang-gun | 룡흥사 | 龍興寺 | 1048 | |
NKPyongyang | Ryonghwasa | Kaeson-dong | Moranbong-guyok | 룡화사 | 龍華寺 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Ryongmunsa | Ryongdung Worker's District | Kujang-gun | 룡문사 | 龍門寺 | ||
NKNorth Hwanghae | Ryongtongsa* | Ryonghung-dong | Kaesong-si | 령통사 | 靈通寺 | 1027 | |
SKGangwon | Samhwasa | Samhwa-dong | Donghae-si | 삼화사 | 三和寺 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Sangwon Hermitage | Hyangam-ri | Hyangsan-gun | 상원암 | 上元庵 | ||
* | SKSouth Jeolla | Seonamsa? | Jogyesan | Suncheon-si | 선암사 | 仙巖寺 | |
SKJeju Island | Seondeoksa | - | - | ||||
SKNorth Jeolla | Seonunsa | Dosolsan, Asan-myeon | Gochang-gun | 선운사 | 禪雲寺 | 577 | |
SKGyeonggi | Silleuksa | 73, Silleuksa-gil | Yeoju-si | 신륵사 | 神勒寺 | 580 | |
SKNorth Jeolla | Silsangsa | ??? | Namwon-si | 실상사 | 實相寺 | ||
NKNorth Hwanghae | Yontan Simwonsa | Yontan | Yŏntan-gun | 심원사 | 心源寺 | * | |
NKSouth Hwanghae | Singwangsa× | Singwang-ri | Haeju-si | 신광사 | 神光寺 | ||
NKKangwon | Singyesa* | Onjong-ri | Kosong-gun | 신계사 | 神溪寺 | 519 | |
SKGangwon | Sinheungsa | Seoraksan | Sokcho-si | 신흥사 향성사 |
神興寺 香城寺 |
650 circa | |
* | NKSouth Hamgyong ? | Sogwangsa× | Solbong-ri | Kosan-gun | 석왕사 | 釋王寺 | 1386 |
* | NKNorth Hwanghae | Songbulsa | Jongbang-ri | Sariwon-si | 성불사 | 成佛寺 | 898 |
* | SKSouth Jeolla | Songgwangsa | Songgwangsan | ??? | 송광사 | 松廣寺 | 867 and 1190 |
NKSouth Hwanghae | Songwol Hermitage | Hakrim-ri | Changyon-gun | 송월암 | 松月庵 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Sounsa | Yongbyon | ??? | 서운사 | 棲雲寺 | ||
SKSouth Gyeongsang | Ssanggyesa | Jirisan, Hwagae-myeon | Hadong-gun | 쌍계사 | 雙磎寺 | 772 | |
SKSouth Chungcheong | Sudeoksa | Deoksungsan, Deoksan-myeon | Yesan-gun | 수덕사 | 修德寺 | 1308 | |
NKNorth Hwanghae | Taehungsa | Pakyon-ri | Kaesong-si | 대흥사 | 大興寺 | ||
SKNorth Jeolla | Tapsa | Maisan (Horse Ear Mountain) | Jinan-gun | 탑사 | 塔寺 | 1885 | |
NKPyongyang | Tong-kumgangamsa | Osan-ri | Sunan-guyok | 동금강암사 | 東金剛庵寺 | ||
NKSouth Hamgyong | Tongdoksa | Tuyon-ri | Tanchon-si | 동덕사 | 東德寺 | ||
* | SKSouth Gyeongsang | Tongdosa | Chiseosan | Yangsan-si | 통도사 | 通度寺 | 646 |
SKSouth Jeolla | Unjusa (NT #312) | Doam-myeon | Hwasun-gun | 운주사 | 雲住寺 | ||
* | SKNorth Jeolla | Wibongsa? | - | - | 위봉사 | 威鳳寺 | |
* | SKGangwon | Woljeongsa | Odaesan | Pyeongchang-gun | 월정사 | 月精寺 | 643 |
NKSouth Hwanghae | Woljongsa | Woljong-ri | Anak-gun | 월정사 | 月精寺 | ||
NKChagang | Wŏnmyŏngsa | Ryujung-ri | Huichon-si | 원명사 | 圓明寺 | ||
SKJeju Island | Yakcheonsa | 293-28 Ieodo-ro | Seogwipo-si | 약천사 | 藥泉寺 | ||
NKNorth Pyongan | Yanghwasa | Sangdan-ri | Taechon-gun | 양화사 | 陽和寺 | ||
SKSeoul | Yeonghwasa | - | - | 영화사 | 永華寺 | ||
SKGyeonggi | Yeonjuam | - | - | ||||
* | SKGyeonggi | Yongjusa | Hwasan, Taean-eup | Hwaseong-si | 용주사 | 龍珠寺 | 854 |
* | NKPyongyang | Yongmyongsa× | NKMoranbong Park | Moranbong-guyok | 영명사 | 永明寺 | * |
* | NKKangwon | Yujomsa× | Naegang-ri | Kumgang-gun | 유점사 | 楡岾寺 | 550 circa and 1168 |