The Temple of the Future Buddha :

Kumsansa or Gold Mountain Temple is located on Mt. Moaksan near Chonju. Originally built in 599 CE, according to the temple records 38 monks were ordained at the temple in that same year. The present buildings were erected in 1635 after the others were destroyed in the Japanese invasion of the 16th century. There are many treasures which pre-date the present buildings.

According to a legend, Master Chinp'yo, after returning from China, had a vision of Maitreya Buddha and he received a book on divination in two rolls and 189 divination sticks from Maitreya. This book on divination then became the principal authority on the subject in Korea. Due to this, King Kyongdok invited the master to his palace in order to receive instruction and predictions.
Master Chinp'yo decided to build a temple to Maitreya and call it many image of buddha Kumsansa. On his way, he met a dragon king who presented the master with a robe of jade and guided him to Kumsan forest. There, miraculously, men and women from everywhere came to help. The temple was built in a few days and, when it was completed, Maitreya came to give Chinp'yo hisfinal ordination. In memory of this event, Chinp'yo created a Maitreya Buddha Hall, the focal point of Kumsansa. After that, the master set up a platform and taught the people well.

This Maitreya Buddha Hall is over 20 meters high. It is the only ancient, wooden, three-story hall in Korea. Each story has a different name and so a different name board. The first floor is Great Compassion Hall,”the second is Dragon Flower Meeting and the third is Maitreya Hall.”In order to support the immense roof, special corner eave pillars were created.

Enshrined is a statue of the future Buddha, Maitreya. This gilded, standing statue is 11.8 meters high and is flanked by two attendants, each 8.8 meters high. The Maitreya temple statue is modeled after a Shilla statue although it actually dates from the early 20th century. The hand position is one of have no fear.”The assistants date from the Choson Period. On the southern wall is a painting of Maitreya giving the monks' rules to Chinp'yo.

In Korea, the traditional buildings of palaces and temples are painted with amazingly bright colored geometrical patterns. These designs are called tanch'ong,”meaning red and blue,”the principle colors used. Tanch'ong was introduced to the peninsula through the Koguryo Kingdom, probably somewhere around the time that Buddhism was accepted, in 372CE.

The main aim of tanch'ong is protection of the wood. The wood is carefully treated before applying the pigments in order to protect it from humidity and decay. Then the design to be painted on is outlined using chalk powder over pinholes made in the paper of the design. Now the wood is ready to receive the bright colors of the mineral paints used. Finally a coating of oil is applied and the paintings are gone over with a hot iron. In this way the wood is protected from the elements as well as from mold and bugs.

In front of the Maitreya Hall is a strange hexagonal stone pagoda, dating from the Koryo Period, probably late 10th century.

Kumsansa Temple TEL : (0658)43-4441

Mode Departure Arrival Duration
Express Bus Seoul Terminal Kimje 3:10
Train(Saemaul-ho) Seoul Station Kimje 2:45

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