Daeungjeon Hall and Geumganggyedan Ordination Platform of Tongdosa Temple, Yangsan

Basic information

Designation

National Treasure No.290

Category

Architecture

Era

조선 인조 23년(1645)

Designated year

1997

Location

양산시, 경상남도— 경남 양산시 하북면 통도사로 108, 통도사 (지산리)

Coordinates

35.488044, 129.063713

Tongdosa Temple is one of the three great temples in Korea. Daeungjeon is originally for preserving Bodhisattva, but Daeungjeon in Tongdosa Temple through the Geumgang Ordination Platform behind the building preserves the sarira of Buddha. The name 'tongdo' means one that cultivated the religious sense through the stairs and one that works the salvation of all creatures. It was first built in Queen Seondeok of Silla, then burnt down by the Japanese Invasion in 1592 and again reconstructed in 1645 (the 23rd year of King Injo of Joseon). It was built with 3 rooms in the front and 5 rooms in the side, while the roofs look 'T' shape. Under the eaves, the eaves beams were not only placed on the top of the pillar but also among the pillars. On the platform outside the building, as well as on the granite stairs, and the either side of the stairways, the beautiful lotus design could be seen that came from the unified Silla period. The Geumgang Ordination Platform meant sound and valuable Buddhist rules like a diamond. It symbolized that Buddha always stays there. The present Ordination Platform has been repaired many times in the Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. As a typical Korean Geumgang ordination platform, the stones made sculpture like a bell, which preserved a bone of Buddha, and was placed in the middle. Inside the platform of the first floor, 1000 portraits were carved in with the outside showing the God for Buddhism. Knowing the eras of its construction, Daeungjeon was a typical work of the mid Joseon Dynasty, and Geumgang Ordination Platform that preserved the sarira of Buddha has been considered as important cultural assets with its great implications of the structures and history of architecture.

Location