Songgwangsa
| Songgwangsa | |
 |
|
| Korean name | |
|---|---|
| Hangul | 송광사 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Songgwangsa Piney Expanse Monastery |
| McCune–Reischauer | Songgwangsa |
Songgwangsa (Hangul: 송광사; Hanja: 松廣寺) translation: Spreading Pine Temple; alternates: Songgwang-sa, or Songgwang Sa, or Songkwangsa; also known as: Piney Expanse Monastery; originally: Gilsangsa), one of the three jewels of Korean Buddhism, is located in Jeollanam-do on Mount Songgwangsan on the Korean Peninsula. Situated approximately 18 miles (29 km) away from the sea, it is within the Jogyesan Provincial Park.
While founded in 867, it was established in 1190 by Zen Master Jinul (Chinul). Chinul's meditation teachings evolved from this monastery and contributed significantly to the Zen practice that prevails to this day in Korea. Songgwangsa is considered the "jewel" (Samgharatna) of the Korean monastic community. Though smaller in size, it is considered as the greatest among the trio of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea representing the “the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha". The other two of the trio, T’ongdo-sa and Haein-sa, are located in South Gyeongsang Province; and represent the Buddha and the dharma, respectively.
This monastery, though under the jurisdiction of the Jogye Order in Seoul, functions as an autonomous body. It controls a network of 49 small branch temples whose abbots are chosen from among the monks of the main monastery and who also enjoy a fair degree of independence as long as they function as independent economic units without depending on the main monastery. It currently serves as the head temple for the 21st district of the Jogye Order among the 25 head monasteries of the order. Songgwangsa, one of the oldest Zen temples in Korea, is still very active today as a practice center.
Over the centuries, it has been rebuilt many times and is now fully restored. As it has been the residence of many monks, the monastery has an assortment of stele and pagodas which contain the ashes of many monks. One of the oldest living quarters in Korea is located at Songgwangsa, as well as an International Zen Center that is popular with foreigners who seek the experience of living in a Zen temple. Koryo Sa, the first foreign branch of Songgwangsa, was established in Koreatown, Los Angeles, California, US in 1980 by Kusan Sunim.
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