Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 51
Photo Credit: Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Haetalmun (Liberation Gate) of Dogapsa Temple
(Yeongam, Jeollanam-do)
🏯 1. The Gate of Enlightenment
At the foot of Wolchulsan Mountain in Yeongam stands the Haetalmun (Liberation Gate) of Dogapsa Temple, a structure that has greeted pilgrims for nearly a thousand years.
Built in the early Goryeo period (10th–11th century), this wooden gate is one of the oldest temple gates in Korea and serves as a symbolic threshold — marking the transition from the secular world to the realm of awakening.
Its name, Haetalmun, means “Gate of Liberation,” reflecting the Buddhist belief that true freedom comes from the release of worldly attachments and ignorance.
To pass through this gate was, and still is, an act of spiritual cleansing — the first step toward enlightenment.
🪨 2. Structure and Architectural Beauty
The gate follows a simple yet majestic wooden structure, composed of two-tiered brackets (gongpo) supporting a gently curved tiled roof.
The wooden beams and pillars are large and sturdy, their surfaces darkened and smoothed by centuries of sun, rain, and incense smoke.
Carved details such as lotus patterns and cloud motifs decorate the upper beams, symbolizing purity and transcendence.
Despite its age, the building retains perfect balance and proportion, a testament to the advanced craftsmanship of Goryeo artisans.
The gate once housed Four Heavenly Kings (Sacheonwang) statues, guardians believed to protect the temple from evil and guide all beings toward peace.
Though the statues no longer remain, their presence can still be felt in the solemn dignity of the space.
🌄 3. The Spiritual Path of Dogapsa Temple
Dogapsa Temple has long been known as a sacred site where Buddhism and nature coexist in harmony.
The Haetalmun stands as the temple’s symbolic entrance — a passage that purifies body and mind before one approaches the Buddha Hall.
Crossing this gate, one leaves behind worldly burdens and steps into a realm of stillness and compassion.
It is not merely a doorway of wood, but a philosophical passage, teaching that enlightenment begins not at the destination, but at the moment of departure from attachment.
The gate’s weathered timbers seem to whisper: “Enter with a quiet heart, and you have already begun to awaken.”
🌿 4. Preservation and Legacy
The Haetalmun of Dogapsa Temple is one of the few remaining Goryeo-era temple gates in Korea, making it invaluable to the study of early wooden architecture.
Despite fires, invasions, and natural decay, it stands proudly — its timbers strengthened by centuries of faith.
Designated National Treasure No. 51, the gate represents the enduring spirit of Korean Buddhism — steadfast, humble, and deeply rooted in nature.
Even today, monks and visitors pause before it, bowing once before passing through.
In that simple act lies the essence of Haetalmun: to enter the temple not just with the body, but with the purified heart.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“This gate does not open outward — it opens inward.
To pass through it is to return to yourself,
to lay down what you carry,
and to walk lighter toward the light.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉National Heritage Portal