Buseoksa (천은사)

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Buseoksa, or Buseok Temple - 부석사 (浮石寺) is a Korean Buddhist temple built 676 onward, with the oldest building from 1376.

Buseoksa, the "Temple of the Floating Stone", was founded by the great monk Uisang in 676 AD, the 16th year of King Munmu of Silla. The temple was built following Uisang's return from China, where he had heard reports that the Chinese emperor was planning to invade Korea (these reports turned out to be true). Uisang convinced the king of Silla that constructing Buseoksa would invoke Buddha's help in warding off this threat. Apparently it worked, for the Koreans fended off the Chinese armies and secured the unification of Korea.

Buseoksa is of the Hwaeom, or Flower Garland sect of Buddhism (Huayen in Chinese).

Buseoksa is so-named because of a large rock beside the western hall that appears to float above the stones underneath. During the Goryeo kingdom (918-1392) the temple was sometimes called Seondalsa or Heunggyosa. During repairs in 1916, a record was discovered that indicated that the main hall was burned down in 1358 and reconstructed in 1376. This means Buseoksa's main hall is one of the oldest wooden buildings in the country - one of only a handful of wooden Goryeo-era structures to survive to the present day. Most others were destroyed in the Japanese invasions of 1592-98 or from accidental fires over the centuries.

Besides the main hall, there are several other structures worthy of note. Several stone stupas remain from the Silla era, most notably the one in front of the main hall. Also among these remains are flagpole support pillars at the base of the temple.