Five Hundred Arhat Statues in Bomunsa Temple

These are the five hundred arhats of Bomunsa Temple. Each of the five hundred arhats here has different facial expression and its individual features are well-articulated.

There is a 40-meter-long and 5-meter-wide large rock named Cheonindae, which was used in Buddhist ceremony. The name ‘Cheonindae’ is a Korean compound word formed by 'cheon' and 'in', which mean ‘one thousand’ and ‘people’ respectively. This signifies that it is large enough for a thousand people to sit.

“Nahan” is a saint who is respected by the world for breaking all anguish and gaining endless wisdom, and is also called “Arhat.”

Whoever studies according to Buddha’s teaching can eventually become an arhat and most of these were actual people from history. In other words, all five hundred arhats are real people from the past.

Bomunsa Temple was originally a temple that valued the Arhats’ faith. There are nineteen arhats who came from the sea have now been enshrined in the stone hall, and five hundred of them have been place here as well.

While visiting Bomunsa Temple, do not forget to take a look at the five hundred arhat statues!