Located on the slopes of Songnisan in Naesongni-myeon, Boeun County, in Chungcheongbuk-do province of South Korea, Beopjusa is the head temple of the Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism. The construction of the temple was commenced in 653 by Silla monk Uisin during the reign of King Chinhung. During the time when the Goryeo dynasty was in power, the temple is said to have housed around 3000 monks. Later, when the Joseon dynasty came to power, the temple lost its importance with the reducing state support for Buddhism. The temple underwent reconstruction and renovation work 8 times, the last one being in the year 1906.

The temple is dedicated to the practice of Maitreya Buddhism. It is open from sunrise to sunset. Within the Complex
As you make your way to the temple, you will notice the yellow earth road that was laid down by grinding the earth into small stone shapes followed by burning it and then covering it onto the road. The road passes through thick pine trees to reach the main gate of the temple. A large rock with a hole in the middle from which spring water comes out is there beside the main gate.

Inside, there is a wooden building shaped like a tower called Palsangjeon Pavilion. Behind it is the Ssangsajaseokdeung (Two Lion Stone Lamp) which, as per its name, has two lions upholding a stone lamp. There is also the Seokryeonji Lotus Flower Pond, which again, according to its name, is a pond made of stones.

The two storey main building is extremely impressive. Also known as the Hall of the Great Light, the hall houses images of Vairocana, Sakyamuni and Rochana. The image of vairocana is surrounded by a huge white halo while the other two are surrounded by rainbows. At the back of the statue are three paintings of Buddha along with his disciples, bodhisattvas, young Ananda and aged Kasyapa.

A five storey wooden pagoda, designated National Treasure No. 55 is also an attraction within the temple complex. The pagoda was constructed in 553 and is considered the oldest one in entire Korea. The pagoda has large murals that depict the life story of Sakyamuni Buddha, though not in an orderly fashion. Four statues of Buddha, each with different hand postures, guard the four cardinal direction. The hand poses are the one of fearlessness, turning of wheel, earth touching and dying Buddha. The last of the four poses is very rare in Korea. Around 340 little white images of Buddha, though they are called disciples, are seen infront of the paintings.

At the top of the Pagoda is 33 m high and 160 tonne copper statue of Maitreya Buddha.


Chungcheongbuk-do
A province in the centre of South Korea, Chungcheongbuk-do came into being in the year 1896. The province has its capital at Cheongju. It is the only province in South Korea which is completely landlocked. To its west is the province of Chungcheongnam-do while Gyeonggi-do and Gangwon-do lie to its north. Bordering it on the south is the Jeollabuk-do province and on the east is the Gyeongsangbuk-do. The terrain of the province is mostly mounatinous. Mt. Songnisan, Mt. Sobaeksan, Mt. Woraksan are two of the most important mountains of the region. Administratively, the province comprises 3 cities and 9 counties. Beoun, where the Beopjusa temple stands, is one of the nine counties of the province.

Major tourist attractions in the province include Mount Songni and its National Park. It is in this national park that one of the oldest temples of Korea, Beopjusa, is located. Mt. Woraksan National Park is yet another attraction of the province.