Beopjusa (Beopju Buddhist Temple) - 법주사

 buddhist temple  Add category

Beopjusa is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The temple was built in 553 by the Silla monk Uisin.

During the Goryeo era this temple was home to as many as 3,000 monks. It remained an important temple for several centuries, but diminished under the Joseon era (July 1392 – 1897) as support for Buddhism disappeared.

The temple is best known for Palsangjeon - Eight Paintings Pagoda, the large wooden pagoda, that was originally built in 553 when the temple was founded. Like most of the other buildings, it was burned down sometime during Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea 1592–1598) but was reconstructed in 1624. Palsongjeon Pagoda is National Treasure #55.

A 33 meter/108 foot high 160 ton gold plated copper statue of the Maitreya Buddha — Buddha of the future, with a worship hall below the statue, is also found on the temple complex. This statue was erected in 1990.