Digital Dictionary of Buddhism

DDB Top Page 
 
 
  XML source

奉恩寺

Pronunciations

Basic Meaning: Bongeunsa

Senses:

  • Located at the bottom of Mt. Sudo 修道山 in Gangnam-gu 江南區, southern Seoul, thus being one of the small minority of major active temples situated in the midst of a metropolitan area. The temple was founded by National Preceptor Yeonhoe 緣會國師 in 794. In 1551, it became the main temple of the Seon Order 禪宗首寺刹.During the latter Joseon period, it was one of the main temples for the administration of the monastic exams such as those connected with the four teachings course (sagyo-gwa 四教科). It has also been home and place of practice for famous calligraphers, and was also the site for the translation of the Korean Tripiṭaka into vernacular Korean. Thus, this monastery has long maintained a deep literary and academic emphasis in Buddhist cultivation. Nowadays the temple offers many programs organized to accommodate visitors who would like a greater or lesser taste of Buddhist practice. Bongeunsa also supports the main Monastic University.

    Bongeunsa was also the home of the eminent Joseon master Bo-u 普雨 (1515–1565). In 1548 he was appointed abbot by Queen Munjeong 文定王后 (acting as regent for her son, the future King Myeongjong) during a period of respite in the long suppression of Buddhism during the Confucian-dominated Joseon. At this time Bongeunsa became the head Seon temple in the country. For a period of about fifteen years there was a brief renaissance in Seon studies, which allowed the torch of Seon to be passed on to a new generation of monks. After 1945, the temple came under the direct control of the Headquarters of the Jogye Order 曹溪宗. 〔朝鮮寺刹史料, 朝鮮佛教通史卷上奉恩寺事蹟〕

    [O. B. Chun; source(s): hbsjsj]
  • Search SAT
  • Search INBUDS Database

    • Feedback

    [Dictionary References]

    Bulgyo sajeon 315a

    Zengaku daijiten (Komazawa U.) 1122b

    Fo Guang Dictionary 3135

    Bukkyō daijiten (Mochizuki) (v.1-6)4554a

    Copyright provisions

    The rights to textual segments (nodes) of the DDB are owned by the author indicated in the brackets next to each segment. For rights regarding the compilation as a whole, please contact Charles Muller. Please do not reproduce without permission. And please do not copy into Wikipedia without proper citation!

    Entry created: 2006-02-20

    Updated: 2010-04-06