It is a representative temple of the Silla Dynasty, founded in 751 (10th year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign) by Kim Dae-seong. However, according to the “Bulguksa Gogeumchanggi,” “the year after Ichadon was martyred, in 528 (15th year of King Beopheung’s reign), King Beopheung’s mother, Lady Yeongje, and Lady Giyun founded this temple and became a nun.” Bulguksa is the Buddhist land that the Silla people longed for, the ideal world of peace. The Silla people’s desire for the Buddhist land is expressed here in three aspects. One is the Saha world of Sakyamuni Buddha based on the Lotus Sutra, the other is the Paradise of Amitabha Buddha based on the Infinite Life Sutra, and the other is the Lotus World of Vairocana Buddha based on the Avatamsaka Sutra. These three are each expressed in their own unique way through the overall composition of a section centered on the Daeungjeon, another section centered on the Geungnakjeon, and the Birojeon.

Seokguram

Seokguram Grotto was founded in 751 (10th year of King Gyeongdeok’s reign) by Kim Dae-seong. Seokguram Grotto is a splendid cultural monument created by the faith and wisdom of the Silla people. It is of interest not only in terms of aesthetics, but also because it contains the national spirit of the Silla people who created such a masterpiece. Seokguram Grotto is a product of the Silla people’s faith and a condensation of the national spirit in which the rulers and the people are in harmony. Seokguram Grotto should be understood from the perspective that it was founded not simply by Kim Dae-seong’s personal initiative, but rather as the origin of the entire nation.