• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.265-280
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• 2022

Hwangnyongsa Temple was the large Buddhist monastery of Silla that has existed for about 685 years. The temple underwent a series of excavations from 1976 to 1983, during which it was discovered that its layout consisted of one pagoda and three main dharma halls. This discovery also led to the production of four artistic depictions of the temple at various times from its foundation to its final phase. Previous studies on the architectural layout of Hwangnyongsa Temple are largely focused on the inner sanctuary ("Buddha's Land"). The studies on the temple's main architectural structures may be natural for those who are interested in the origins of and background to its establishment, but the studies on its outer sanctuary ("Sangha's Land") have to come first to acquire a deeper knowledge of the architectural layout of the temple as a whole. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the entire layout of Buddhist monasteries of the Silla dynasty, including both their inner and outer sanctuaries, the studies on Hwangnyongsa Temple are essential as it was once the kingdom's most highly honored temple. The studies on Korean Buddhist monasteries of the Three Kingdoms Period have produced only a limited amount of information concerning the outer sanctuary, resulting in little evidence about the exact scope of the temple's sanctuary. Meanwhile, the excavations of the Hwangnyongsa Temple site have revealed the archaeological features of the walls that divided the monastery and its neighboring facilities, thus helping to delineate the size of the temple site. The excavations have revealed the boundaries between the inner and outer sanctuaries of Hwangnyongsa Temple, as well as the entire temple precincts and the exterior, providing valuable information about the changes made to the layout of the temple. In this study, the main discussion focuses on the changes made to the sanctuary of Hwangnyongsa Temple during the Unified Silla and Goryeo Periods, particularly in relation to the architectural layout of the temple. The discussion is based on a review of the periods in which the Nammunji(South Gate site) was built, which provides tangible evidence about the expansion of the temple to the south, and the walls enclosing the temple precincts on the four sides and the changes that occurred afterwards. As a result, the study concludes that both the inner and outer sanctuaries of the temple probably changed through the 1 st and 3rd. It also concludes that the changes made to the architectural layout of Hwangnyongsa Temple were intended not only to alter the scope of the temple but were also closely associated with the politico-geographical significance of its location at the center of the royal capital of Silla and the urban archaeological remains around it.