Bunhwangsa Temple分皇寺

Bunhwangsa Temple is a subordinate temple of Bulguksa Temple, the head temple of the 11th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It is a historically significant temple, founded in 634, the 3rd year of Queen Seondeok's reign, where Great Monk Wonhyo and Monk Jajang once resided. Inside the temple, there is the Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda (Mojeonseoktap), designated as a National Treasure, which is a representative example of a brick pagoda style built before the Unified Silla period. The stone pagoda was originally more than 5 stories tall, but currently only 3 stories remain, and evidence of repairs made during the Goryeo Dynasty can be confirmed from the sarira reliquary. On the first story of the pagoda, niches and guardian figures are carved, and stone lion statues are also placed there. Within the temple grounds, there is Samnyongbyeoneojeong, a large stone well from the Unified Silla period, and a legend of guardian dragons is associated with it. This well is also a historically significant site where 14 stone Buddha statues were excavated in 1965. Various relics remain at Bunhwangsa Temple, including Yaksa-jeon Hall, a standing Bhaisajyaguru Buddha statue, a stone lantern, and a large stone base. The Hwajae Guksa Bibu is the base stone of a stele commemorating Great Monk Wonhyo, and it was made during the reign of King Myeongjong of Goryeo. Currently, Bunhwangsa Temple is recognized as an ancient temple possessing significant historical and cultural value.