On this blue-sky late winter afternoon, I went for a slow cycle to town taking a different route. Usually, I cycle as the crow fly, but today I entered town from the other side through more established establishments. I noticed the pointy roof in the distance before, but never really made an effort to investigate. However, today, I cycled past the entrance and decided to have a closer look.
The signboard revealed this temple form part of South Korea’s Tangible Cultural Heritage of Gyeongsangbuk-du, No. 324, that can be seen at 31 Dongseong-ro 70 been-gil, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si.
The stone standing buddha of Yeongjeonsa temple was picked up by a Buddhist at the Yeongjeonsa temple site after experiencing a revelation in a dream in 1924. In the course of carrying it to its current location, right after the Korean War, parts of it were damaged. The Buddha is characterised by a benevolent facial impression and broad shoulders and is wearing an elegant robe. The lotus flowers inscribed on the platform are skillfully carved. The statue is presumed to date from the eighth century, the heyday of the Unified Silla period. Yeongjeonsa Temple is said to be the place where Monk Uisang gave lectures on the Avatamsaka Sutra to 3000 followers in 676.
While I was reading the signboard, a female monk came to great me and gestured that she will show me around the temple. I followed her up some stairs to the stone standing buddha. I ask her if it’s okay if a take a few photos and she said it’s okay.
Let’s look around.
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