Jeokmyeol bogung, the Hall of Sublime Equanimity, of Mount Odaesan

[Visitor]

What kind of story does Jeokmyeol bogung have?

[Curator]

Walking toward Birobong Peak a little beyond Sangwonsa, the Hall of Sublime Equanimity, which enshrines one part of the Sakyamuni Budhha’s relics, comes into the view. The name ‘Jeokmyeol bogung’ refers to ‘the precious palace with neither defilement nor doubt from the minds of the outside world’.

The Hall of Sublime Equanimity of Sangwonsa is not on the premises like in other temples, but is set a bit further off. The structure is set on a small hill that looks like a simple mound of earth, and it is nothing fancy, but appears simple and graceful. This building is the reason that Mount Odaesan is known as sacred.

It is said that Precept Master Jajang met Manjusri Bodhisattva, the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom, and received one part of the collection of the Buddha’s relics in Mount Wutai during the Tang Dynasty period. Upon his return to Silla, he buried part of the collection here near a small monument carved with the Buddha’s image. Because of this belief, no Buddha statue has been enshrined here for over a thousand years. As it was vacant for a long time, the very existence of the hall helps us realize that there is much to gain silently.

It is believed that the Hall of the Bodhisattva of Great Wisdom was placed in the most ideal location among the temples in Korea, according to Feng Shui theory.