Geuknakbojeon of Silleuksa


“Geuknakbojeon, the Hall of Utmost Bliss, enshrines Amitabha Buddha and serves as the main dharma hall of Silleuksa. Amitabha Buddha, overseeing the Utmost Bliss of the Pure Land of the West, assists the blissful rebirth in the Pure Land of the dead, and the longevity and comfort of sentient beings.”

“Silleuksa was appointed as Wonchal, a royal shrine, to pay tribute to King Sejong the Great, the fourth ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and his tomb, Yeongneung. Geuknakbojeon can therefore be seen as a hall dedicated to prayer for the repose of the deceased king, as well as for the well-being of the royal family.”

“Registered as Tangible Cultural Property of Gyeonggi-do Province No. 128, Geuknakbojeon has three columns, with two on the sides. Palgak-jibung, a half-hipped roof over triangular walls on the sides, sits on top, giving an extravagant, yet majestic appearance.”


“Enshrined with the Amitabh Triad inside the hall are various Buddhist paintings depicting guardian Devas, Buddha giving a sermon, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, which are hung behind the Buddha statues. There is also is a hanging sign board upon which, “Cheonchumanse,” was supposedly written by Seon Master Naong himself.”

“Geuknakbojeon is a miniature of the Utmost Bliss of the Pure Land, depicted in an elaborate and majestic manner. For those sentient beings dreaming of blissful rebirth in the Pure Land, it is a precious portal allowing a short escape from this world.”