Geumsansa Temple: Myeongbujeon Hall / Noju

[Narration]
Myeongbujeon Hall is a chamber serving to transport the ‘yumyeonggye’ of the afterlife into the temple.
The word ‘yumyeonggye’ refers to the moving of evildoers to hell, and also to the praying for souls to be guided towards paradise where they are reincarnated.

The chamber is also referred to as Jijangjeon Hall and Siwangjeon Hall, because Jijangbosal (Buddhist saint) and the Siwang (ten kings of hell) are enshrined here.

There are books placed and spread out at the three openings of the front and side, adding to the appearance of the gabled building.
Inside, the saint Jijangbosal is placed centrally, with kings Modukgwiwang, Domyeongjeonja, and others also enshrined there. Jijangbosal is clasping the ‘Geumgangboryeun’ in his left hand.

To the right and left of these are Siwang statues, and two statues each of the judge, Noksa, Inwang, and the Young Monk, replicating the appearance of judges in the Myeongbu Segye (other world).

So shall we move on to Noju, located in front of Myeongbujeon Hall?

‘Noju’ is the shortened form of ‘Nobanjiju’, and was originally put up as two poles in the corners of the front of the chamber, to be later used as material in forming the tower’s Sangryupu (top part).

However, why the Noju was made from additional building materials to the tower is unknown. Looking at the Sajung records, the relic was misnamed ‘Noju’, being originally known as ‘Gwangmyeongdae’. Additionally, it was said to have been a stone lantern in front of Mireukjeon Hall, protecting Mireuk’s light.

If this record is assumed to be correct, then the ‘Hwasaseok’(light chamber) must be assumed to have been removed from the form that the Noju takes today. This aside, the Noju was created entirely out of techniques specific to the Goryeo Dynasty, and its value was acknowledged when it was designated as the No. 22 treasure. Next, we’re going to move over to Daejeokgwangjeon Hall.