Yujomsa
Encyclopedia
Yujŏm-sa is a Korean Buddhist temple located on Mt. Kumgang
, North Korea
. Founded under the kingdom of Silla
, it underwent many successive restorations before being destroyed by American forces during the Korean War
.
kingdom of Silla
. It underwent a major enlargement in 1168 under Emperor Uijong of Koryo
, and again in the 15th century. Eventually becoming a major site of pilgrimage and, along with Changansa, Pyohunsa
, and Singyesa
, was known as one of its Four Great Temples of Mt. Kumgang. It was the largest and the oldest of the four, and at its height it encompassed over 40 buildings. Between 1883-1885, it underwent its final enlargement, though it still retained many of its original Silla-era characteristics.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea Mt. Kumgang became a major tourist site, and the temple (known by its Japanese pronunciation as Yusen-ji) received many visitors to admire its beautiful setting and architecture. Because of this, it underwent significant restoration work funded by this Japanese government during this time.
Despite its historical significance, the temple was bombed by US forces during the Korean War, who believed the Korean People's Army
was using it as a base. Due to this, nothing remains today of this famous temple besides its foundation stones.
Kumgangsan
Kŭmgangsan , Geumgangsan, or Mount Geumgang is a -high mountain in Kangwon-do, North Korea. Its name means "a firm heart in the face of truth". It is about 50 km away from South Korea's Sokcho in Gangwon-do. It is one of the best-known mountains in North Korea...
, North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
. Founded under the kingdom of Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
, it underwent many successive restorations before being destroyed by American forces during the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
History
Yujom Temple was founded in the 6th century under the fervently BuddhistBuddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
kingdom of Silla
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
. It underwent a major enlargement in 1168 under Emperor Uijong of Koryo
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
, and again in the 15th century. Eventually becoming a major site of pilgrimage and, along with Changansa, Pyohunsa
Pyohunsa
P'yohun-sa is a Korean Buddhist temple located on Mt. Kumgang, North Korea. Founded in the 7th century under the kingdom of Silla, it is the only one of Mt. Kumgang's four great temples to have survived the Korean War...
, and Singyesa
Singyesa
Singye-sa is a Korean Buddhist temple located in Onjong-ri in Kosong County, Kangwon Province, North Korea. Once one of the largest of the hundreds of temples located in the scenic Kumgang Mountains, the complex was entirely destroyed by US bombings during the Korean War. It was reconstructed in...
, was known as one of its Four Great Temples of Mt. Kumgang. It was the largest and the oldest of the four, and at its height it encompassed over 40 buildings. Between 1883-1885, it underwent its final enlargement, though it still retained many of its original Silla-era characteristics.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea Mt. Kumgang became a major tourist site, and the temple (known by its Japanese pronunciation as Yusen-ji) received many visitors to admire its beautiful setting and architecture. Because of this, it underwent significant restoration work funded by this Japanese government during this time.
Despite its historical significance, the temple was bombed by US forces during the Korean War, who believed the Korean People's Army
Korean People's Army
The Korean People's Army , also known as the Inmin Gun, are the military forces of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. Kim Jong-il is the Supreme Commander of the Korean People's Army and Chairman of the National Defence Commission...
was using it as a base. Due to this, nothing remains today of this famous temple besides its foundation stones.
See also
- Four Great Temples of Mt. Kumgang
- National Treasures of North KoreaNational treasures of North KoreaDesignated national treasures of North Korea are tangible artifacts, sites, and buildings deemed to have significant historical or artistic value.-No. 1-50:-No. 51-100:-No. 101-150:-No...
- Korean BuddhismKorean BuddhismKorean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new...
- Korean architectureKorean architectureKorean architecture refers to the built environment of Korea from c. 30,000 BC to the present.-Introduction:From a technical point of view, buildings are structured vertically and horizontally...