Jeokmyeol Bogung of Bubheungsa


“Among the Buddhist temples in Korea are five temples which do not enshrine any statues. In the dharma hall of these temples, there is an altar, but only a sarira stupa is kept. This type of dharma hall is known as a ‘Jeokmyeol Bogung, or Hall of Sublime Equanimity,’ and within these temples are enshrined the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha.”


“The relics of Sakyamuni Buddha represent Buddha himself, so temples like Bubheungsa, which enshrine his holy sarira, do not need to have any statues in their halls. A temple which enshrines part of his relics contains a hall called a Bogung, or jeweled palace.”

“There are five Jeokmyeol Bogung temples in Korea. In addition to Bubheungsa on Sajasa Mountain, there are Tongdosa on Yeongchuksan; Sangwonsa on Odaesan; Jeongamsa on Taebaeksan; and Bongjeongam on Seoraksan Mountain.”

“Precept Master Jajang met Manjusri Bodhisattva in person, which caused him to found a temple and lead the spreading of dharma. In 643, the 12th year of Queen Seondeok, the 27th ruler of the Silla Kingdom, he founded Heungnyeongsa with the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, and this temple went on to become Jeokmyeol Bogung Bubheungsa as we know it today.”