Beopdang (), also called buljeon () or geumdang (), refers to buildings that enshrine Buddha and Bodhisattva in Korean Buddhist temples.
Etymology Until the early Goryeo period, Buddha halls were called geumdang, reflecting the wuxing concept in which yellow symbolizes the center. Later, Seon Buddhism used the term beopdang, which means house of Dharma filled with eternal freedom and truth. After the Goryeo period, the names of beopdang began to vary depending on the type of deity enshrined within them.
Meanwhile, in China and Japan, beopdang (fǎtáng in Chinese and hōdō in Japanese) refers to a space where sermons are delivered.
History Originally, beopdang was a place for sermons and located behind buljeon (building where Buddha statues are enshrined). However, in smaller temples, beopdang and buljeon were not distinguished and sermons were delivered in buljeon. As Seon Buddhism flourished in Korea, buljeon was also called beopdang and most Buddhist events were held there.
One temple had one beopdang in the Three Kingdoms period but began to have multiple beopdangs from the Northern and Southern States period.
Types Worship halls in Korean Buddhist temples can be classified into three types according to deity of worship: sangdan (), jungdan () and hadan (). Sangdan which houses Buddha is usually placed in the middle and jungdan which houses Bodhisattvas and Arhats are placed next to or behind sangdan. Hadan which enshrines Dharmapalas and indigenous gods are small and placed in the corner of temples. Beopdang usually refers to sangdan but can be used to refer to all types.
Sangdan Daeungjeon () enshrines Buddha. Geungnakjeon (), also called amitajeon () or muryangsujeon (), enshrines Amitābha. Yaksajeon () enshrines Bhaisajyaguru. Gwaneumjeon (), also called wontongjeon (), enshrines Gwanseeum Bosal. Daejeokgwangjeon (), also called hwaeomjeon (화엄전; 華嚴殿) or birojeon (비로전; 毘盧殿), enshrines Vairocana. Mireukjeon (), also called yonghwajeon (), enshrines Mireuk. Yeongsanjeon (), also called palsangjeon (), enshrines palsangdo (painting depicting the life of Buddha in eight scenes). Nahanjeon () or eungjinjeon () enshrines Buddha and 16 Arhats. Jeongmyeolbogung () enshrines sarira of Buddha.
Jungdan Jijangjeon (), also called myeongbujeon (), enshrines Jijang and Ten Kings of Hell. Josadang () honors the founder of a Buddhist sect or temple. Sacheonwangmun () enshrines Four Heavenly Kings. Geumgangmun () enshrines Geumgang yeoksa. Hadan Sansingak () enshrines Sansin. Chilseonggak () enshrines Chilseong, the god of longevity. Dokseonggak () enshrines Dokseong who reached enlightenment alone without a teacher. Samseonggak () enshrines Sansin, Chilseong, and Dokseong.
See also Mahavira Hall: Main hall in East Asian Buddhist temples Dharma Hall: Buildings in Buddhist temples where sermons are given
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