• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.53-81
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to examine the chracteristics of the location of Zen Buddhist temples which are the Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen(九山禪門) from feng-shui perspective. A large number of temples have been built for about 1600 years since Buddhism had influenced on Korea. They have been built nationwide in different times by different sects of Buddhism. The pattern of location of Buddhist temples is different according to background of the times (political, economic, cultural aspect) and of tenet(difference in sects of Buddhism) when the temples were built. But the general location of Korean Buddhist temples is in accordance with feng-shui theory. Feng-shui is a traditional geographic thought in China and Korea. It is necessary to understand feng-shui in order to understand Korean landscape and cultural geography. It had given a tremendous impact on Korean landscape through choosing site of cities, settlements, houses, mounments, temples, pagodas, and so on. Before feng-shui was prevailing in Korea, Buddhist temples were mostly built on sacred place which was connected with folk beliefs. In the case of the late Silla Dynasty when Zen Buddhism was prevailing, feng-shui became popular and many. temples were built in accordance with feng-shui. The typical examples are found in the site of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples. The interpretation of geomantic site of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples will show us how feng-shui was applied to and reflected in the Korean peninsula. In Zen Buddhism, feng-shui was applied to the choice of the temple site. Also feng-shui theory was usually used to choose the site of stupa(Budo) where the remains of the founder of sect. In this study, I will interpret the geomantic characteristics of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples. The geomantic interpretations of the temples are as follow. 1. The temples are located at the foot of a hill with surrounding mountains and a watercourse in front. Feng-shui texts often describe it as an ideal site. This geomantic situation is well equipped with natural drainage; protection from cold wind from the north or evil spirits; a good view with open space to the front; protection from unnecessary weather damage; and security and protection from strangers and invaders. 2. The sitting and facing direction of the temples correspond to the oncoming dragon's direction. 3. Many feng-shui texts discuss the types of Sa(surrounding mountains) in detail and morphologically describe them with certain animate and inanimate auspicious objects. In case of Nine-Mountain Sects of Zen temples, the geomantic landscape of these can be compared to auspicious objects. This is morphological marker for the description of configulation features of these temples. 4. Most auspicious places are not perfect, but the shortcomings can be overcome by many means. We can observe modification of landscape for the purpose of fulfilling the geomantic harmony of the temple.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2017

Rafter is a member for roof and plays a role in protecting shaft members under rafter such as pillar, beam and girder from natural environment and to fix by supporting finished materials of roof. It is common in the Korean architecture that rafter cross-section is paired with circular form and Buyeon cross-section is paired with the square shape. However, while there are not many, some architectures have rafter end header in the square shape. The aim of this study is to examine the square shape cases of rafter end header with special reference to stone structure. As a result, among stone structure related to Bangyeon, the majority case is seen at Palgakwondang type Seungtap. It was shown in the Seungtap of monk of Gusanseonmun school in the later Unified Silla to the early Goryeo period that succeeded Seodang Jijang.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.110-118
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• 2015

Borimsa Temple in Jangheung, one of the Goosanseonmoon of Shilla Dynasty, calls for a study in the field of landscape architecture because it has very significant elements in cultural and ecological landscaping aspects. This study examined the changes in landscaping elements of Borimsa Temple since the 17th century in order to newly recognize cultural landscaping value of space composition elements for traditional temple and to verify landscape architectural position. For research method, literatures such as Sajeonggi (事蹟記), Joongchanggi, a surveyed map by Fujishima Gaijiro in 1928 and Joseon Gojeogdobo (朝鮮古蹟圖譜) and modern documents including Borimsa Temple Precision Ground Survey Report and photographic records of National Archives of Korea and provincial governments were examined together with a field survey in order to trace changes in landscape elements such as buildings within the temple site, pond and temple forest. The results are as the following: First, for geographical locations of Borimsa Temple, it is located in an auspicious location and Shipyuknahansang and Cheonbul were placed in a supplementary purpose according to the contents of Bojoseonsatapbi. Compared to Namhwaseonsa Temple in China, it has a similar environmental composition but the fact that buildings were placed on platforms is a distinctive difference. Second, architectural landscape of Borimsa Temple went through the Japanese colonial era and Korean War and still going through changes today. Thus, there shall be some appropriate measures such as to establish an archive of past landscape data. Third, the contents of Borimsa Temple Sajeonggi suggests that the pond of Borimsa Temple had been in a indeterminate form with stones on the outer edge. Its name could have been Yongcheon (湧泉) according to the contents of Joongchanggi. Also, the current landscape, in comparison with past photographs, is a result of changes from surface raise occurred by ground reinforcement within the temple site. Fourth, Jangsaengpyoju (長生標柱) mentioned in Bojoseonsatapbi and Borimsa Temple Sajeonggi was thought to be the dried juniper tree in front of Daewoongbojeon, which can be found in past photographic documents but, it is now assumed to be Seokbihyeong (石碑形) considering the Gukjangsaeng and Hwangjangsaeng of Dogapsa Temple of the similar time period. Moreover, Hongsalmoon mentioned in Joongchanggi was established by King's order after the Manchu war of 1636 in praising of Buddhist monks those who had volunteered to fight for the country. Fifth, it is apparent in Borimsa Temple Joongchanggi that geomancy was a consideration in landscaping process of Borimsa Temple, and the record indicates that pine trees, bo trees and persimmon trees were planted. Sixth, tea tree forest was verified of its historical root that is Seongchailyeo from Unified Shilla through passing down of Jeong Yak-yong's Goojeunggoopo method and relevant documents of Seon Master Choui and Yi Yu-won. Seventh, nutmeg tree forest suggests that nutmegs were used in national ceremonies and for medical uses. The nutmeg tree forest was also verified of its role as Naehwasoorimdae (a forest built to prevent fire from spreading) through aerial photographs and placement of a forest reserve.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.54-71
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• 2012

This paper investigates Buddhist sculptures of the Gulsan-sa School of Seon Buddhism, which was established by the priest Beomil(梵日) at Myeongju(溟州), present-day Gangneung(江陵) area, and prospered until the late Goryeo period. There are very few surviving Buddhist images at Gulsan2 temple-site showing the Buddhist art when Beomil or his disciples, Gaecheong(開淸) and Haengjeok(行寂), were active, except a set of huge stone pillars for temple-banners and a stone monk stupa. It is therefore necessary to focus on pieces of artworks in Gangneung and nearby areas to explore the characteristics of Buddhist art of Gulsan-sa from the late Silla to early Goryeo period. For example, the stone relief seated Buddha image, one of Four Buddhas of Four Directions, and a stone relief of standing Guardian King both from the stone pagoda at Mujin temple-site(無盡寺址) can be compared with stupa reliefs at the capital Gyeongju area in their high quality of carving. The stone octagonal base showing seven lions on each of seven sides at Boheon-sa(普賢寺) demonstrates that it was made as a part of an octagonal lotus pedestal for a Vairocana Buddha now lost. Since Boheon-sa was erected by Gaechung, a disciple of Beomil as a branch of Gulsan-sa, it is fair to assume that the Vairocana image at Boheon-sa might have been closely related to the Buddhist images at Gulsan-sa in its style and iconography. The stone seated Bodhisattva from Hansong temple-site(寒松寺址) displays a benign face, exquisite necklace, and exotic iconography in its hand gesture and high cylindrical crown. The stone seated Buddha at Cheonghak-sa(靑鶴寺), brought from a temple-site where fragments of roof-tiles with the inscription of Heukam-sa(黑岩寺) were discovered, displays the late Silla and early Goryeo period. Heukam-sa seems to have been related to Gulsan-sa or have been one of the branches of Gulsan-sa. Extant fragments of artworks at Myeongju implicate the high quality of Buddhist art of Gulsan-sa in its iconography and style as well as unique features of Gulsan-sa Seon School.