Religious Architecture
The Isanmyo, built in 1925. North Jeolla, South Korea.
This Sinist shrine is one of the few surviving shamanic temples in Korea. Its purpose is to honor four holy kings and respectable rulers - Dangun,Taejo, Sejong and Gojong. Other deities are worshipped as well.
This Sinist shrine is one of the few surviving shamanic temples in Korea. Its purpose is to honor four holy kings and respectable rulers - Dangun,Taejo, Sejong and Gojong. Other deities are worshipped as well.
Three Jewel Temples of Korea
Left - Tongdosa, 646 CE. South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Center - Haeinsa, 802 CE. South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Right - Songgwangsa, 867 CE. Mount Songgwangsan, Korean Peninsula.
These three temples, located in South Korea, represent the three things Buddhists take refuge in. Tongdosa represents Buddha, Haeinsa represents dharma (Buddhist teachings), and Songgwangsa represents sangha (Buddhist community). The most important part of each temple is the building that emphasizes the particular jewel. At Tongdosa, the stupa containing relics of the Buddha is valued. At Haeinsa, the Tripitaka Koreana is a collection of Korean Buddhist scriptures. These scripts are housed in the two most important buildings at the site. Finally, at Songgwangsan, there are several buildings dedicated to the community.
Center - Haeinsa, 802 CE. South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Right - Songgwangsa, 867 CE. Mount Songgwangsan, Korean Peninsula.
These three temples, located in South Korea, represent the three things Buddhists take refuge in. Tongdosa represents Buddha, Haeinsa represents dharma (Buddhist teachings), and Songgwangsa represents sangha (Buddhist community). The most important part of each temple is the building that emphasizes the particular jewel. At Tongdosa, the stupa containing relics of the Buddha is valued. At Haeinsa, the Tripitaka Koreana is a collection of Korean Buddhist scriptures. These scripts are housed in the two most important buildings at the site. Finally, at Songgwangsan, there are several buildings dedicated to the community.
Seoul Central Mosque, 1976. Itaewon, South Korea.
Islam is not one of the larger religions in Korea. The Seoul Central Mosque is the only mosque in Seoul. It holds services in Korean, Arabic, and English. Despite this modern diversity, the architecture of the building itself is consistent with traditional Islamic mosque designs.
Islam is not one of the larger religions in Korea. The Seoul Central Mosque is the only mosque in Seoul. It holds services in Korean, Arabic, and English. Despite this modern diversity, the architecture of the building itself is consistent with traditional Islamic mosque designs.