Bongeunsa Temple: History & Free Audio Guide — Seoul, Korea

About Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple nestled in a forest of skyscrapers in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul, is a historic temple founded during the reign of King Wonseong of the Silla kingdom. Upon entering its tranquil grounds, where the noise of the city seems unable to reach, you will be greeted by the gentle smile of the magnificent Mireukdaebul, the Great Statue of Maitreya Buddha. It is an ideal refuge for anyone who wants to pause and take a peaceful break from a busy daily life.

It is a special place where you can enjoy a unique landscape in which the beauty of a traditional temple blends with the scenery of a modern city, and experience the history and culture of Korean Buddhism.

What you’ll hear

15 stories · about 26 min

IntroChusa’s Final Calligraphy, Written Three Days Before His Death33 sec
SpotIljumunIljumun: Returning After a Long Journeyabout 2 min
SpotJinyeomunJinyeomun: The Gate of Equality Without Discriminationabout 2 min
SpotBeopwangnuBeopwangnu and the 3,333 Statues of Gwanseeumbosalabout 2 min
SpotThree-story Stone PagodaThe Stone Pagoda Holding One Sarira of the Buddhaabout 1 min

Show 10 more

SpotDaeungjeonThe Main Buddha Hall of Bongeunsa Templeabout 2 min
SpotSeonbuldangSeonbuldang, Where Future Buddhas Were Chosenabout 1 min
SpotMireukjeonThe Old Hall Moved to Stand Before Mireukdaebulabout 2 min
SpotPanjeonChusa's Last Calligraphy, Written Three Days Before His Deathabout 2 min
SpotYeongsanjeonThe Sixteen Arhat Statues with Distinct Expressionsabout 2 min
SpotMireukdaebulThe Giant 23-Meter-Tall Mireukdaebulabout 2 min
SpotBukgeukbojeonBukgeukbojeon and the White Cow Cartabout 3 min
StoryFrom 794 to a Royal Temple: Bongeunsaabout 2 min
StoryRescuing Victims of the Great Flood of 1925about 1 min
StorySeunggwapyeong: Where Monks Took the National Examabout 2 min