Buseoksa Temple浮石寺

Buseoksa Temple was founded in the 16th year of King Munmu of Silla (676) by Uisang Daesa, the patriarch of the Haedong Hwaeomjong (Korean Avatamsaka Sect), by royal command. It is the head temple of the Hwaeomjong. While the Great Master was studying in Tang China, he heard news of Emperor Gaozong of Tang's invasion of Silla. He reported this to the king and returned to Silla to found this temple, intending to unify national sentiment through the principles of Hwaeom that he had cultivated, and thereby overcome internal and external trials. It became the birthplace of Hwaeom thought in Korea. The temple came to be named Buseoksa (Floating Stone Temple) because there is a large rock to the west of the main Buddha hall, which is said to be floating, not attached to the rock beneath it, hence called a "floating stone." During the Goryeo Dynasty, it was called Seondalsa or Heunggyosa. According to an ink inscription discovered during the dismantling and repair work in 1916, Muryangsujeon Hall and other structures were rebuilt in the early Goryeo period. However, they suffered damage from enemy warfare in the 7th year of King Gongmin (1358). Muryangsujeon Hall was rebuilt in the 2nd year of King U (1376), and Josadang Hall was rebuilt in the 3rd year of King U (1377). Within the temple grounds are artifacts from the Unified Silla period, including the stone lantern in front of Muryangsujeon Hall, a stone seated Buddha statue, a three-story stone pagoda, a flagpole support (dangganjiju), and a stone foundation. There are also artifacts from the Goryeo period, such as Muryangsujeon Hall, Josadang Hall, a clay seated Buddha statue, Josadang wall paintings, Goryeo woodblocks, and the Stele for State Preceptor Won-yung. In particular, Muryangsujeon Hall is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Korea, and the wall paintings in Josadang Hall are the oldest murals painted on a wooden building, currently preserved inside the artifact exhibition hall. The seated Buddha statue enshrined inside Muryangsujeon Hall is the finest clay statue transmitted in Korea. The well located to the west of Muryangsujeon Hall is said to be where Uisang Daesa's Dharma-protecting dragon (Hobeopryong) lived.