Gilsangsa (Seoul)

 buddhist temple  Add category

Gilsangsa, found in the middle of Seoul, was established on the site of an upscale restaurant. The restaurant owner donated the property and it was converted to Buddhist a temple in 1997, becoming a Songgwangsa branch of the Jogye Order.

Gilsangsa attracts many visitors and serves as a downtown cultural space by offering a variety of Buddhist programs like temple experience, classes on Buddhist teachings, and temple stay.

The temple features Gilsang Seonwon (Zen center) and the House of Silence, which are special halls dedicated to practicing meditation. While Gilsang Seonwon provides meditation rooms for Buddhists with experience in meditation, the House of Silence is open to the general public.

The Gilsangsa complex is surrounded by nature in the hills of Seongbuk-dong, a neighborhood of Seoul. The upscale restaurant known as Daewongak was originally built on this site. The owner of the restaurant donated the land and buildings to Venerable Bupjeong Sunim (1932-2010), a Buddhist monk. In 1997, he decided to convert the restaurant into a Buddhist temple, Gilsangsa.

At the entrance is Iljumun (One Pillar Gate), the front gate. Inside steps lead up to Geungnakjeon, the main hall, housing a statue of Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. The slope up to the right leads to Seolbeopjeon housing a statue of Shakyamuni, and behind the statue in the hall are 1000 seated Buddha statues.

The main hall, Geukrakjeon (Hall of Ultimate Bliss - the Buddha of Infinite Light.) enshrines the Amitabha Buddha. Gilsang Seonwon (Zen Center) is dedicated to the practice of meditation. There is also another mediation room known as the House of Silence. Following the path up behind the main hall from Seolbeopjeon leads past the living quarters and meditation buildings used by the monks that live there.

Gilsangsa operates a Buddhist college, a Zen meditation center, and hosts the volunteer group Malgo Hyanggiropgae (Clean and Fragrant).