5. Mulyangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple

[Man]
Muryangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple is a wooden building constructed in the Goryeo Dynasty that enshrines the Amitabha Buddha. Amitabha Buddha refers to the Buddha, the master of the Ultimate Bliss of the Pure Land in the West. The name "Amitabha Buddha" was first described in India as “Amitayus”, meaning the one with infinite life, and “Amitabha”, meaning the one with infinite light, which were taken together and translated to Amitabha during the spread of Buddhism in China. Thus, Amitabha contains both meanings. In China and Korea, it is also referred to as the Buddha of Infinite Life in parallel with this Amitabha.

[Woman]
In Korea, the belief in the Amitabha Buddha made up the portion greater than any other faith. From the 6th to 7th centuries, the faith in the Amitabha Buddha took root in the lives of the people, and during the Silla Dynasty, the Buddhist prayer never ended from house to house. Currently, the Amitabha Buddha stands as the central Buddha in the one-power belief in the Buddhist faith.

[Man]
There is a record showing that the signboard of Muryangsujeon Hall at Buseoksa Temple was written by King Gongmin of Goryeo.

[King Gongmin]
"I need to take a break over there."

[Vassal]
"Yes, Your Highness. I'll go first and find out if it's safe over there. Giddy-up!”

[King Gongmin]
“You must have had a hard time carrying me. "

[Head Abbot]
"Welcome, Your Highness."

[King Gongmin]
"And who are you?"

[Head Abbot]
"I am the Head Abbot at this temple. Your Highness."

[King Gongmin]
"Thank you for allowing us to rest here."

[Head Abbot]
"Your Highness, may I humbly request a favor."

[Vassal]
"Hold on! You are speaking to the king!”

[King Gongmin]
“It’s alright. Do speak.”

[Head Abbot]
"I would like to ask you to write a title on a signboard that will be hung for Muryangsujeon Hall at our temple."

[King Gongmin]
"Alright, I will. That, I can do for you.”

[Head Abbot]
"Thank you. Your Highness."

[Woman]
Normally the Buddhist altar is placed at the center of the building and the Buddha statue faces the same direction as the building, but the Muryangsujeon Hall of Buseoksa Temple is different. The Buddhist altar was placed toward the west of the building, and the statue was placed to face the east. The inner floor is covered with green-glazed bricks, which are interpreted to reflect the Buddhist scriptures that the Amitabha Buddha is in paradise in the west, and its bottom is made of glass.

[Man]
Buseoksa Temple was supposed to house Daejeok Gwangjeon, which serves Vairocana Buddha, who lights up the world, as the main temple of the Avatamsaka sect, but the prayer for the rebirth of the countless people who died in the fierce battle between the three kingdoms became naturally devoted to Amitabha Buddha, and at the time of the unification of the three kingdoms, Muryangsujeon Hall was built to serve the Amitabha Buddha, who rules paradise, as the main Buddha, so as to unify the people of Baekje and portray the will of guiding the people who yearn to enter paradise.