1,000-year old temple with simple beauty
According to the Muwisasajeok, it has been built as Gwaneumsa Temple by the Great Master Wonhyo in year 39 of King Jinpyeong (617 AD) in Silla Dynasty, but there is no clear evidence to this. Inside the building is a broad space with no pillars, and on the inside walls are murals of Bodhisattvas and men of humble origin, which are known to be the works of Oh Do-ja who had been the greatest portrait painter of the time. Muwisa Temple had been famous for the Zen sect temple in the early Goryeo Dynasty, but in the Joseon Dynasty, it was famous for a Suryuk temple. Since the temple served the Suryuk rites to comfort the dead souls, the Geungnakbojeon hall in the main building enshrines the Amitabha Buddha who overlooks the Land of Happiness.
Muwi (無爲) means doing nothing. If you want to forget the troubles of the world and control the inner peace, it is recommended to allow a moment in time at Muwisa Temple.
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Muwisa Temple Geungnakbojeon (National Treasure No. 13)
The oldest remaining building in Muwisa Temple is the Geungnakbojeon, which has the early architectural form of the Buddhist architecture in the Joseon Dynasty. It is also worthwhile to take a look at the elegant and simple architectural beauty of Geungnakbojeon built with gambrel roof and Jusimpo style.
Muwisa Temple Murals
Inside the Geungnakbojeon in Muwisa Temple are total 31 murals, one of which is the 'Amitabha Buddha Triad' drawn in year 7 of King Seongjong (1476). It is the oldest mural in the Joseon Dynasty and shows the ultimate beauty of Buddhist art in early Joseon Dynasty. At the back of this work is the 'White-robed Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva'.
Memorial Stupa for Supreme Master Seongak in Muwisa Temple
The Memorial Stupa for Supreme Master Seongak in Muwisa Temple (Treasure No. 507) had been built in memory of the achievements of Supreme Master Seongak Hyeongmi (864 - 917) who built the temple while staying in Muwisa Temple after 905 (King Hyogwang of Silla).
Muwisa Temple
- Address : 308 Muwisa-ro, Seongjeon-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
- Inquiries : 061-432-4974
- Opening Hours : 9am - 6pm all year round
