Unjusa Temple
Jeollanam-do
Unjusa Temple, located in Hwasun County, South Jeolla Province, South Korea, is renowned for its extraordinary assemblage of stone Buddha statues and stone pagodas, distinguishing it from other Korean Buddhist temples. Established possibly during the late Silla Dynasty, its exact origins remain uncertain, with some attributing its founding to Monk Doseon based on geomantic principles. The temple once housed over a thousand stone statues and pagodas, though only 91 statues and 21 pagodas survive today. These structures display distinctive features such as pillar-like bodies, simple faces, and geometric patterns carved into garments and pagoda surfaces, characteristic of the Goryeo period. The temple's layout symbolically represents a great ship, with tall square pagodas as masts and rounded pagodas and Buddhas as crew members. Unjusa serves as a significant site for studying Korean Buddhist art history, preserving unique religious symbols and architectural styles rarely seen elsewhere.
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Tip: Visitors should consider visiting during spring or autumn for pleasant weather and scenic views. It is advisable to check opening hours in advance and consider guided tours to fully appreciate the temple's unique statues and pagodas. Tickets may offer discounts for students and seniors. Advance reservations can enhance the experience, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Interesting facts
- •Unjusa once housed over a thousand stone Buddha statues and pagodas, a unique feature among Korean temples.
- •The temple's layout symbolically represents a great ship, with pagodas as masts and Buddhas as crew.
- •Geometric patterns like X and III are carved on pagodas, a distinctive artistic feature.
- •Two unfinished stone Buddha statues, called 'Wabul,' remain on the grounds, linked to a local legend involving stonemasons called from heaven.
History
Unjusa Temple's origins are shrouded in mystery, with archaeological studies unable to definitively date its construction or identify its founder.
Traditionally, it is believed that Monk Doseon established the temple in the late Silla Dynasty as a geomantic remedy for the Korean peninsula.
Historical records from 1432 document over a thousand stone statues and pagodas at the site, though many have since been lost.
The surviving structures primarily date from the Goryeo period, reflecting the temple's historical evolution and cultural significance over centuries.
Place Guide
Main Worship Hall
The central hall of Unjusa where worship and ceremonies take place, housing important Buddha statues and religious artifacts.
Nine-story Stone Pagoda (Unjusa Gucheung Seoktap)Goryeo period (918-1392)
A prominent nine-story stone pagoda designated as Treasure #796, exemplifying Goryeo period stone pagoda architecture with intricate geometric carvings.
Stone Buddha StatuesGoryeo period
Scattered around the temple grounds, these statues vary in size and display unique features such as pillar-like bodies, simple faces, and disproportionate limbs, characteristic of Goryeo artistry.
Stone Pagodas ClusterGoryeo period
A collection of 21 stone pagodas of varying heights (3, 5, 7, and 9 stories) located in the surrounding fields and mountains, notable for their tall, narrow shapes and flat roof stones.
Contact
Phone: 061-374-0660
