Cheonwangmun, the Gate of the Four Heavenly Guardians, and Geumgangmun, the Diamond Deva Gate, of Woljeongsa

[Visitor]

These trees look even more dignified after hearing the legend.

[Curator]

Once you pass though the fir woods, beyond the One Pillar Gate, and cross Geumgang Bridge, the first gate, the Gate of the Four Heavenly Guardians, comes into the view. It is said these heavenly guardians live with their kind in each of the four directions: the east, the west, the south, and the north, of the hillsides of Mountain Sumeru. That mountain is said to be the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. They guard the Buddha and Buddha-dharma as well as oversee the good and evil of humans.

King Dhrtarastra, the white guardian of the east, holds a lute in his left hand; King Virudhaka of the south holds a sword in his right hand; King Virupaksa of the west holds a dragon in his right hand and a Mani-gem, magic jewel, in his left hand. Finally, King Vaisravana of the north holds a trident and a stupa.

[Visitor]

If this gate is the first one, which one is the second one?

[Curator]

When you go a bit further, you will find Geumgangmun, in place of Bulimun, or “The Non-duality Gate,” in Woljeongsa. This gate is different from the Non-Duality Gate of other temples. Two fierce-looking diamond devas, carved on both sides of the gate, guard the temple. Normally, Narayŏn' geumgang is on the left and Miljeok geumgang is on the right. They stand gallant and fierce, protecting the Buddha-dharma from evil forces.