Korean Temple Layout: From the Gate to the Main Buddha Hall
A Korean mountain temple is usually laid out so that you pass through the One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun), the Heavenly Kings Gate (Cheonwangmun) and the Gate of Non-Duality (Burimun, also called the Gate of Liberation) in turn, reaching a courtyard with a pagoda and stone lantern and then the Main Buddha Hall (Daeungjeon). Each gate is often explained as a step from the outside world toward the Buddha. Hapjang (합장) is Goyosa, an online temple in your browser where you can walk that sequence yourself, from the forest path to the main hall.
- Three gates
- One-Pillar Gate → Heavenly Kings Gate → Gate of Non-Duality (varies by temple)
- Where Goyosa begins
- Forest Path of All Beings (fir-lined path, maple tunnel) and Stream Valley
- Courtyard
- Three-story Stone Pagoda, stone lantern, stone lotus basin, incense burner, Bell Pavilion, Lantern Courtyard
- Central hall
- Main Buddha Hall — 312 meditation cushions, main Buddha 11 m tall seated
- Back grounds and surroundings
- Slow Forest Trail and stupa field, Quiet Light Grotto, Smiling Cliff Buddha, Koi Pond, bamboo grove, Guanyin Seaside Path, hot spring, Campfire Nook
In what order is a Korean mountain temple arranged?
A temple set in the mountains usually climbs up a valley, with gates and courtyards following one after another. Each temple's terrain and history differ, so they are not all alike, but this is the basic order you see at many mountain temples.
- One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun): the temple's first gate. Its pillars stand in a single row, often read as "enter with one mind."
- Heavenly Kings Gate (Cheonwangmun): the gate housing the Four Heavenly Kings who guard the four directions.
- Gate of Non-Duality (Burimun): a gate whose name means "not two." It is also called the Gate of Liberation (Haetalmun), and at many temples you pass under a pavilion to climb into the courtyard.
- Courtyard: a stone pagoda and stone lantern stand here, surrounded by the pavilion hanging the temple bell and various halls.
- Main Buddha Hall (Daeungjeon): the central hall enshrining Shakyamuni Buddha.
- Monks' quarters (yosachae): the living space where monks eat, sleep and study.
Which path do you walk at Goyosa in Hapjang?
Goyosa is not a copy of one real temple; it is an original temple ground newly built with many mountain temples as reference. Even so, the walking order follows the flow of a mountain temple.
- Forest Path of All Beings and Stream Valley: a fir-lined path, a maple tunnel and a path beside the stream, with spots for stone cairns along the way.
- One-Pillar Gate: its hanging board reads "Mt. Goyo · Goyosa." Make a half bow here and step in.
- Stone Arch Bridge (Hongyegyo): the only stone arch bridge over the stream.
- Heavenly Kings Gate: guarded by the four Heavenly Kings. Past it come an ancient ginkgo tree and the stone steps of the Gate of Non-Duality.
- Courtyard: the three-story Stone Pagoda, stone lantern, stone lotus basin and incense burner, beside the Bell Pavilion and the Lantern Courtyard.
- Main Buddha Hall: two stories outside and open to the roof inside. 312 cushions (264 on the ground floor, 24 each in the 2nd- and 3rd-floor galleries).
What other buildings are there besides the main hall?
Around the courtyard stand Myeongbujeon, Gwaneumjeon and Sansingak. These have only the building and its hanging board, with nothing to do inside. The monks' quarters, where the monks live, have a large room for the bowl meal, a veranda for a cup of tea, a crock terrace and dried persimmons.
What lies behind the main hall?
Behind the Main Buddha Hall runs the Slow Forest Trail, passing a stupa field (budobat) with three stupas and a memorial stele on a turtle base. Further in is the stone cave Quiet Light Grotto, and about 49 m up the path above it is the Smiling Cliff Buddha, about 35 m tall, carved into an 85 m cliff.
Around the temple grounds are separate places to rest: the Koi Pond with its koi, the Whispering Bamboo Grove of about 3,600 bamboo stalks, the Guanyin Seaside Path along the sea, the Worry-Melting Hot Spring and the Campfire Nook by the fire.
What order should you walk in on your first visit?
On your first visit, walk straight from the forest path to the One-Pillar Gate, the Heavenly Kings Gate, the courtyard and the Main Buddha Hall. Then try the forest trail and grotto behind it, and finally rest at the pond or hot spring; that takes you once through both the inside and outside of the temple. If you get lost, tap the small map at the top right and choose where to go.
Try it in Hapjang
You start at the entrance of the Forest Path of All Beings. Follow the path and you pass the One-Pillar Gate, the Stone Arch Bridge, the Heavenly Kings Gate and the stone steps of the Gate of Non-Duality in turn, reaching the courtyard and the Main Buddha Hall. Choose a place such as the Main Buddha Hall, Quiet Light Grotto or the Koi Pond on the small map and you walk there automatically.
Frequently asked questions
Which gates do you pass through when entering a Korean temple?
Korean mountain temples commonly have you pass the One-Pillar Gate, the Heavenly Kings Gate and the Gate of Non-Duality (Gate of Liberation) in turn before reaching the courtyard in front of the main hall. The number and arrangement of gates vary by temple.
Why does the One-Pillar Gate have a single row of pillars?
Iljumun, the One-Pillar Gate, is named for its pillars standing in one straight line, and it is often interpreted as meaning "enter the temple with one mind" (ilsim).
What is the difference between the Main Buddha Hall and the monks' quarters?
The Main Buddha Hall (Daeungjeon) is the central hall that enshrines Shakyamuni Buddha and where services are held; the monks' quarters (yosachae) are the buildings where monks eat, sleep and live.
Which temple is Goyosa in Hapjang modeled on?
Goyosa is not a copy of any particular temple; it is an original temple ground newly built with many Korean mountain temples as reference. Its walking order follows the usual flow of a mountain temple: One-Pillar Gate, Heavenly Kings Gate, Gate of Non-Duality, courtyard, Main Buddha Hall.
Related pages
- One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun) — First Gate of a Korean TempleThe One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun) is the first gate of a Korean mountain temple. In Hapjang, bow before it and get the first stamp in your Goyosa notebook.
- Heavenly Kings Gate: The Four Guardians of a TempleThe Heavenly Kings Gate is where the Four Heavenly Kings guard a Korean temple. In Hapjang, pass them on the way to the old ginkgo and inner gate.
- Stone Pagoda Courtyard: Pagoda Circling and IncenseGoyosa's courtyard has a stone pagoda, stone lantern, lotus basin, and incense burner. In Hapjang, circle the pagoda and sweep leaves together.
- Main Buddha Hall (Daeungjeon) — Sit and Bow OnlineThe Main Buddha Hall is the heart of a Korean temple. In Hapjang, sit on one of 312 cushions to breathe, bow, copy sutras and ring a singing bowl.
- Forest Path of All Beings: The Fir Path to GoyosaThe fir-lined forest path and Stream Valley leading to Goyosa's One-Pillar Gate in Hapjang. Walk slowly with others and stack stones on roadside cairns.
- Korean Temple Etiquette: What to Know Before You VisitAt a Korean temple, keep quiet, use the main hall's side doors and greet monks with palms together and a half bow. Temple etiquette, also seen in Hapjang.
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