One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun) — First Gate of a Korean Temple
The One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun, 一柱門) is the first gate you meet when entering a Korean mountain temple, and its pillars stand in a single row under one roof. It is commonly explained as the boundary between the everyday world and the temple, and as a sign of entering with a single, undivided mind. Goyosa in Hapjang (합장), the online temple, has its own One-Pillar Gate: make a half bow in front of it and you receive the first stamp, 門, in your notebook.
- Where
- End of the Forest Path of All Beings, at the Goyosa temple gate
- Name board
- Mt. Goyo · Goyosa (shown in your chosen screen language)
- What you can do
- Half bow at the gate, get the 門 notebook stamp
- Next stop
- Stone Arch Bridge → Heavenly Kings Gate
Why does the One-Pillar Gate have one row of pillars?
Most buildings have pillars at all four corners, but seen from the side, the One-Pillar Gate has just one row of pillars. That is where its name comes from. This structure is commonly explained as gathering a scattered mind into one (一心, "one mind") before entering the temple. The number of pillars and the shape of the roof vary a little from temple to temple, but the single row of pillars is generally the same.
The gate also marks the temple's boundary. It usually carries a name board with the names of the mountain and the temple, showing that the temple's grounds begin here.
The One-Pillar Gate at Goyosa
Goyosa in Hapjang is an original temple ground inspired by many Korean mountain temples, and its One-Pillar Gate is not a copy of any particular temple. The name board reads Mt. Goyo · Goyosa, and if you choose English, Japanese or another screen language, the board changes to that language too.
As you walk between the fir trees, the gate appears straight ahead. On the path outside the temple gate you can exchange short messages with people nearby, but inside the temple walls there are no speech bubbles: people stay together through breath and gestures.
Making a half bow at the gate
At Korean mountain temples, many people put their palms together and bow lightly from the waist, a half bow (banbae, 半拜), before going through the One-Pillar Gate. It is less a strict rule than a small greeting that says you are about to quiet your steps and your mind.
The path after the One-Pillar Gate
Past the One-Pillar Gate you cross the Stone Arch Bridge (Hongyegyo) over the stream, and then reach the Heavenly Kings Gate, where the Four Heavenly Kings stand. The path you came along is the Forest Path of All Beings, and how to greet is explained in detail in Palms together, half bow and full bow.
Try it in Hapjang
Stand in front of the One-Pillar Gate, press [Greet] at the bottom of the screen and choose the half bow, and your character bows. A half bow at the temple gate stamps the first mark, 門, in your notebook. The notebook and its stamps are saved only on the device you are using. To walk, use the WASD keys or drag on a PC; on a phone, use the invisible movement pad or tap where you want to go.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the One-Pillar Gate (Iljumun) have only one row of pillars?
It is called Iljumun because its roof rests on pillars set in a single row. This is commonly explained as gathering a scattered mind into one before entering the temple.
How do you greet at the One-Pillar Gate?
Many people put their palms together and bow lightly from the waist in a half bow. In Hapjang, choose the half bow under [Greet]; a half bow at the temple gate earns the 門 notebook stamp.
Is the gate at Goyosa in Hapjang a real temple's gate?
No. Goyosa is an original temple ground inspired by many Korean mountain temples, and its One-Pillar Gate does not copy or reconstruct any particular temple.
Related pages
- 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.
- Hongyegyo: The Stone Arch Bridge of a Korean TempleA hongyegyo is a Korean stone arch or "rainbow bridge." At Goyosa in Hapjang, one crosses the stream just past the One-Pillar Gate.
- How to Bow at a Korean Temple: Hapjang, Half & Full BowHow to join palms (hapjang), do a half bow and a full prostration at a Korean Buddhist temple, when to use each, and how to try them online.
- Goyosa Notebook: How to Collect All 8 Temple StampsHapjang's Goyosa notebook marks eight temple stay moments with a red stamp: 門 拜 香 誦 鉢 掃 經 鐘. Where to find each stamp and how to receive it.
- 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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