Iljumun

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Iljumun
The iljumun of Naesosa Temple, Buan County
Korean name
Hangul
일주문
Hanja
一柱門
RRiljumun
MRilchumun

Iljumun (Korean: 일주문; Hanja: 一柱門; lit. 'One-pillar gate') is the first gate of Korean Buddhist temples. Its name originated from the pillars being in one line.[1] A tablet with the temple's name is usually installed on the gate.[2]

Description

Iljumun is one of the three major types of gates constructed on the path that leads to the temple and often illustrates the formality of Buddhist architecture.[3] The other two are the sacheonwangmun (사천왕문; 四天王門) and burimun (불이문; 不二門).[4] The three gates are sometimes referred to as sanmun (산문; 山門).[5]

Physically, the gate serves to demarcate the temple from the outside.[6] It symbolizes purification and one must leave all of their worldly desires before entering the temple.[7] The oneness is also a metaphor for non-duality (unity) in spirit and heart.[8]

Iljumun is said to have originated from the tradition of placing four gates at the four cardinal points around the stupas of Sanchi in India since the 1st century BC.[9]

In culture

An image of an Iljumun appears on the obverse of the Korean Service Medal.

See also

References

  1. Park, Sang-guk (1995). "일주문". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
  2. Lee, Jang-woo (2021-11-16). "[청년을 위한 불교기초강의] <121> 일주문은 어떤 의미인가요?". Bulgyo Sinmun.
  3. Yim, Seock Jae (2005). Windows and Doors: A Study of Korean Architecture. Ewha Womans University Press. p. 63. ISBN 978-89-7300-622-9.
  4. Park, Sangguk (1995). "불이문". Encyclopedia of Korean Culture.
  5. "사찰예절 불자예절-[12]산문을 통과할 때의 예절". Beopbo Sinmun. 2004-08-10.
  6. Choi, Ho-sung (2015-12-31). Temple Stay: A Journey of Self-Discovery. Seoul Selection. ISBN 978-1-62412-057-2.
  7. An Illustrated Guide to Korean Culture - 233 traditional key words. Seoul: Hakgojae Publishing Co. 2002. pp. 187. ISBN 9788985846981.
  8. Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Korea Branch (1 January 1996). Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society, Korea Branch. The Branch. p. 85. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 4 November 2011.
  9. Pares, Susan (2008). Korea: The Past and the Present (2 vols): Selected Papers From the British Association for Korean Studies Baks Papers Series, 1991-2005, Volume 1. Kent: Global Oriental. p. 18. ISBN 9781901903546.