Friday 19 May 2017

[Buyeo] - Jeongnimsa Temple Site and Five-story Stone Pagoda

It took about 10 minutes bus ride from Gudeurae Dolssambab Restaurant (near Gudeurae Sculpture Park) to Jeongnimsa Temple Site.

The ending scene of "Moonlight Drawn by Clouds" was filming at this park...

When we joined the tour, this park not included in Buyeo City Tour. Maybe after this drama, they also put it as one of the must visit places in Buyeo during Autumn when they're blooming.

I'd love to visit this beautiful field full of pink cosmos flowers which the background might be Busosan Fortress and Baengmagang River.

 King Seong Statue at the centre of Buyeo City.

Jeongnimsa Temple Site is just behind Buyeo Middle school.

Ticket Office and Visitor Information.

Directory Map.

Exhibition gallery.

Five-story pagoda and Lecturer Hall at the background.

Bud-shaped Granite Basin with Lotus decoration inside it,
which seemed related to Buddhist temple.

     Lotus Pond near Pagoda. 

Lotus is the symbolic flower in Buyeo for its splendid yet simple and graceful. It is considered the ‘noble man’ among the flowers.

Jeongnimsa Five-story Stone Pagoda.

 
This five- story Pagoda in Jeongnimsa Temple Site to enshrined Buddha's Sarira
was built in the early 6th century when Baekje transferred its capital to Buyeo.
It's designated as National Treasures No. 9.

 I'm always amazed and failed to understand how
people in the past constructed pagoda in such perfect shape.

 
 How did they select the appropriate proportion of granite 
for every part of pagoda from base to top?

 Do you notice the rising curve of each corners?
I really wonder how they shape it so nicely.

The height of this pagoda is 8.33 m, so how did they carry and
stack those heavy granites the top? Did it take moths or years to build it?

 Really hat off for their skills to build this
grand and sophisticated stone pagoda!

 After General So Jeongbang from Tang who destroyed Baekje by allying with
Silla inscribed  a comment on first story body of pagoda saying 
“Monument for conquest of Baekje.”

 
Therefore, this pagoda was once known as 'Pyeongjetap.'
This implied the importance of its location for Baekje.
 (The inscribed words on the right vertical pillar, but not so obvious).

 Prayer hall, lecture hall and the monks’ dormitories that once stood on
this site were wooden buildings constructed on tiled platforms.

The guide explained to us about female and male roof. It's the first time I heard that roof also has gender. But that's all I understood as she conveyed it in Korean language.

So, I searched the internet and found this link. Apparently, in accordance with principles of Yin-Yang, Korean roof divided into 2 types: Male (Convex) and Female (Concave). Wow... pretty interesting!

 My hubby and kids just resting at open stage.

 I'd to delete about hundred photos because my hubby and my daughter
busy with camera and HP snapping battles!

Jeongnimsa Seated-Buddha Statue
(Treasure No. 108), which enshrined in the
middle of the temple facing five-story pagoda.

This Buddha was made during Goryeo Dynasty. 
Only the pedestal and the body of Buddha remain because the
original sitting stone Buddha was seriously damaged and burned. 

The head and hat were restored at a later time. The pedestal has been preserved well and shows refined and balance craftsmanship. Therefore, although it is difficult to identify the details of Buddha statue, it's considered to have been made with care.

 Judging from narrow shoulder and the hands placed around the chest, 
this Buddha seems to be Vairocana.

The temple where this Buddha Statue was enshrined was built in mid sixth century.

The name, 'Jeongnimsa' was given when it's reconstructed during the Goryeo Dynasty.

 This temple site was previously used as the lecture hall during Baekje period. 

This historical site in Buyeo is worth visiting to know more about historical materials during Baekje and Goryeo. No wonder there were so many locals and students were there during our visit.

 Add: 83, Jeongnim-ro, Buyeo. Korea
Website: www.buyeo.go.kr