Byeoksongsa (벽송사)

 place with historical importance, buddhist temple

Byeoksongsa, or Byeoksong Temple, was founded at the end of the Silla era, rebuilt by the Buddhist monk Byeoksong in 1520 and then renamed Byeoksongsa. Seosan and Samyeong, two of the most well-known and respected Buddhist monks in Korea organized an army to fight against the invading Japanese during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, here. Destroyed by an accidental fire in 1704, Hwanseongjiandaesa rebuilt Byeoksongsa in 1850.

Due to war in 1950, the temple was again destroyed. In 1960 Woneong Priest Guhan re-established Byeoksongsa that exists to this day. Existing sanctuaries are the main hall Bogwangjeon, Bangjangseonwon, Ganwolru, Sanmun and Jongru in front, and Sansingak in back.

Right behind the temple are two pine trees with no small branches on them. The thin and curvy one is called 'Miinsong,' or a beauty's pine, and the thicker straight one is called 'Doinsong,' or an ascetic's pine. There is a folk legend that says you'll become healthy if you pray to Doinsong and beautiful if you pray to Miinsong.

Also at the temple is:
The Three-story Stone Pagoda of Byeoksongsa, Temple Treasure #474.
Byeoksong Mok Jangseung, Folk Material #2.
Byeoksong Dangjieom Portrait, a Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Property.

Three-story Stone Pagoda of Byeoksongsa Temple ocated at Byeoksongsa has a three-story main body and a two-layer platform typical of the stone pagodas made during the Unified Silla Period stands almost 12 feet high. Unlike other pagodas, this pagoda is situated behind the temple rather than in the front of the sanctum (main hall).

However, as Byeoksongsa was founded by the Buddhist monk Byeoksong in 1520 it is clear that this particular pagoda of the Unified Silla style, neat and well-proportioned, was actually built during a later period.

The two-layer base, the four corners and facets of the lower layer, are carved with thin pillar patterns. A separate tall stone is inserted between the foundation stone and the lower level of the base.

The top stone of the upper layer is composed of a single stone plate under which a thin tier is engraved in parallel. Every corner of the core stones is engraved with pillar patterns. The number of tiers of the cornices increases, to two tiers for the first and second stories, and then to three tiers for the third story.

The roof stones have thin eaves and are straight, curving gently upward at their ends. The upper sides of the roof stones slope sharply and also curve heavily upward. Only the finial base and a top ornament resembling an upturned bowl remain.

The Three-story Stone Pagoda of Byeoksongsa Temple is Treasure # 474.



Wood totem poles of Byeoksongsa in Hamyang - There are two types of totem poles made of either stone or wood. The totems originated from a variety of beliefs such as the ancient veneration of sexual genitalia or were used as markers for temple grounds. In the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), a totem pole was also called beoksu, beoksi, beopsu, or susalok, depending on the region.

Each type and region had different uses for the totem, Village Totems guarded villages and Temple Totems marked the temple's entrance or its four boundaries. Other totems marked the borders between two regions, and public totem poles protected public facilities.

The totem poles that stand at the entrance of Beoksongsa not only block the entrance of evil spirits but also represent local hunting fishing prohibitions and rules of geomancy (in geomantic terms, bibo describes the suppression of bad energy and the support of weak energy that occurs when totem poles or pagodas are erected in areas, mountains and rivers, with harmful energy).

The actual date of the totem poles, Byeoksong Mok Jangseung, construction is unknown but they are believed to have been erected in the early colonial period (1910 - 1945). Wooden totem poles cannot last long because of damage from rain and wind.

The left totem pole, known as the "prohibitionary defense general," is so badly damaged that only one large-sized eye remains intact. The right totem pole, or "general protector of laws," however, remains in good condition with very little damage. The head, big nose and eyes, the lips clamped in a straight line, and the beard combine to create an impressive face.

Even though both totem poles may seem quite frightening at first glance, their simple and waggish expressions are visually entertaining. These totem poles could be said to be masterpieces of religious and popular art.

The Wood Totem Poles of Byeoksongsa in Hamyang is Gyeongsangnam-do Folklore Material #2.