Geumsansa Temple: Geumgangmun Gate

[Narration]
Did you arrive at Geumgangmun Gate yet ? Geumgangmun Gate refers to the Geumgangshin (spirits) stood either side of the temple entrance. The Geumgangshin, also known as Geumgangyeoksa and Inwangyeoksa, presiding spirits adorned with clothes only at the hip, are gatekeepers protecting both sides of the temple or pagoda entrance with their courageous appearance.

Geumsansa’s Geumgangmun Gate was rebuilt in 1994, and the two inner Inwang statues enshrined here are the boy ‘Munsu’ riding a lion, and the boy ‘Bohyeon’ riding an elephant.

So shall we examine these things one by one in a clockwise direction?

The first thing that you see on the left is the Narayeongeumgang (statue), which as a Yeoksa (master) of heaven, is said to possess the strength of one hundred elephants. Don’t you feel emboldened just by looking at it?

The Narayeongeumgang spirit presides over the Buddha by virtue of its strength.

And in front, the boy Bohyeon is shown transforming into Bohyeon the Buddhist priest as the world begins. Truth is symbolized here with Bohyeon the priest riding an elephant, sitting to the right side of the Buddha Sakyamuni.

Opposite this to the right is the Buddhist priest Munsu appearing as a boy, sitting to the left of Sakyamuni Buddhaand riding a lion to become the custodian of knowledge, dignity, and courage.

Lastly, underneath this is the spirit Miljeokgeumgang, guarding Buddha and clasping a weapon. He casts a solemn figure with an enormous knife clasped in his right hand.

It’s said that the Geumgangyeoksa appears in this form in order to protect Buddhaand cast out all evil spirits and demons that enter the temple. Next, let’s head towards Cheonwangmun Gate, located directly in front of Geumgangmun Gate.