Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 57
Photo Credit : Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Guksajeon Hall of Songgwangsa Temple
(Suncheon, Jeollanam-do)
🏯 1. A Hall Honoring Enlightened Teachers
Within the serene grounds of Songgwangsa Temple, nestled on the slopes of Jogyesan Mountain, stands Guksajeon Hall — a sacred space dedicated not to Buddhas, but to great monks who guided the nation through wisdom.
The name Guksajeon means “Hall of National Preceptors.”
It enshrines portraits and spirit tablets of eminent monks who were bestowed the title Guksa (National Teacher) during the Goryeo Dynasty.
This hall reflects a uniquely Korean Buddhist tradition —
honoring living wisdom, not only transcendent divinity.
🪨 2. Architectural Simplicity with Deep Meaning
Built in the mid-Goryeo period, Guksajeon Hall follows a restrained wooden architectural style, emphasizing dignity over ornamentation.
Its structure is modest and balanced, supported by solid wooden pillars and a gently curved tiled roof.
The bracket system (gongpo) is simple yet refined, reflecting the Buddhist value of clarity through restraint.
Inside, the space is quiet and solemn.
Rather than grand icons, it houses memorial tablets and portraits —
transforming the hall into a place of remembrance, reflection, and gratitude.
Here, architecture steps back, allowing the spirit of teaching to take center stage.
🌄 3. Songgwangsa and the Spirit of the Sangha
Songgwangsa is revered as Korea’s foremost “Sangha Jewel Temple”, representing the Buddhist community itself.
While many temples focus on Buddhas or scriptures, Songgwangsa emphasizes people who lived the Dharma.
Guksajeon Hall embodies this philosophy perfectly.
It teaches that enlightenment is not distant or abstract —
it is realized through discipline, compassion, and service to others.
By honoring national teachers, the hall affirms a powerful idea:
that true guidance arises from lived example, not authority alone.
🌿 4. Preservation and Legacy
The Guksajeon Hall of Songgwangsa Temple remains well preserved, retaining its original function and solemn atmosphere.
Its historical and spiritual value lies not in scale, but in meaning —
a rare architectural testament to human-centered Buddhism in Korea.
Designated National Treasure No. 57, the hall stands as a reminder that the greatest legacy is not built in stone alone,
but in minds awakened and lives transformed.
Even today, monks and visitors bow here quietly —
not to an image, but to the lineage of wisdom that shaped Korean Buddhism.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“This hall enshrines no statue of gold,
yet it shines with memory.
Here, wisdom is honored not for what it claimed,
but for how it was lived.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉 National Heritage Portal.