5. Myeongbujeon Hall of Daeheungsa Temple

[Student 1]
"It's not like other places here... it's kind of scary."

[Student 2]
"Bam!”

[Student 1]
“What the-!” You scared me!”

[Student 2]
“What's to be scared of? Did you do something wrong? You should have been good all along.”

[Student 1]
“Don't give me that cock and bull story!!”

[Student 2]
“Why did you get so scared in Myeongbujeon Hall, then?”

[Student 1]
“You're the one who scared me!” “But wait, Myeongbujeon Hall? What is Myeongbujeon Hall for?”

[Student 2]
"Myeongbujeon Hall is where the judges of the netherworld are enshrined. In another term, it's called the Hall of Ten Underworld Kings.”

[Student 1]
“Ten Underworld Kings? “Who are they?”

[Student 2]
"Ten Underworld Kings refers to the ten judges in the afterlife who weigh the gravity of human sins. The widely known King of the Underworld is also one of the Ten Underworld Kings."

[Student 1]
“Ah, I see.”

[Student 2]
"In Buddhism, it is believed that a person is judged after death by their karma during their previous life. A person's future is determined on a seven-day basis from their death for 49 days, and on the 100th day, and their first and second memorial services, they are judged before the ten judges in turn.”

[Student 1]
“That's kind of spooky.”

[Student 2]
"It’s not just the judges, though. Usually, there's also Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva in the Myeongbujeon Hall. It is also called Jijangjeon Hall because the hall enshrines the Ksitigarbha (Jijang in Korean) Bodhisattva as its main Buddha.

[Student 1]
“Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?”

[Student 2]
"The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva saves the souls who suffer. Because such a place would also need hope.”

[Student 1]
“Ah! This hall is not just a scary place, then. Right?”

[Student 2]
“That's what I'm saying. So be good! Okay?”

[Student 1]
Speak for yourself! How funny. By the way, what time is it now? Hey! It’s almost the time to regroup. Let's hurry!”

[Man]
Myeongbujeon Hall of Daeheungsa Temple enshrines the Triad Buddha of Mudok Gwiwang and Domyeong Jonja on the left and right sides of the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva as the main Buddha. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is known as the Bodhisattva which saves those in the six paramitas world of demons, hungry ghosts, animals, giant demon-spirits, heaven, and living beings. He guards the gate to the hell, keeping people out of it, or guiding those who suffer in hell to the heavenly realm or utmost bliss. Due to his mercy, the belief in the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was prevalent early in Korea and spread to become one of the representative Buddhist faiths. The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was widely believed, especially by those who were worried about going to hell. The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appeared as the savior of the netherworld, where the transmigration, or rebirth in the six realms of existence, is judged, and he is believed as the main Buddha of the Myeongbujeon Hall in Korean temples.

[Woman]
The Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has mysterious empowerment, mercy, wisdom, and eloquence, and as a Bodhisattva who reaches Nirvana away from all evil deeds. He benefits both the living and the dead. Since the Silla Dynasty, the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva has been the most generally believed faith, continuing to this day.

[Man]
Myeongbujeon Hall of Daeheungsa Temple was rebuilt in the 20th century after the buildings of the northern side burned down in 1899. In 1901, a painting of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was enshrined here along with the ten lords of judgment and other followers in the netherworld. The Triad Buddha was enshrined at the central Buddhist altar, and other followers in the netherworld such as the ten lords of judgment who make judgment in the underworld, justices, officials, and students were placed by its side. Although this building has no special features due to its architectural style, a gable-roofed house with column-head brackets, it carries cultural value as an example of the style of Myeongbujeon Halls in the early 20th century.


[Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva]
I, the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, will not enter Nirvana myself before each and every one of those who have fallen into the evil realms of existence and wander about and those who suffer in pain in hell.