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Traditional Buddhist Mountain Temples
of Korea
Republic of Korea
Date of Submission: 12/12/2013
Criteria: (ii)(iii)(iv)
Category: Cultural
Submitted by:
Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Korea to UNESCO
State, Province or Region:
Provinces of Jeollanam-do, Jeollanam-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Chungcheongnam-do,
Gyeongsangnam-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Ref.: 5850
Description
Name of Cluster
Seonamsa
Daeheungsa
Beopjusa
Magoksa
Tongdosa
Bongjeongsa
Buseoksa
Province or Region
Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do Province
Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do Province
Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Province
Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
Province
Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Province
Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province
Latitude
34 59 47.66N
34 28 34.85N
36 32 30.97N
Longitude
127 19 52.11E
126 37 00.45E
127 49 59.10E
36 33 32.27N
127 00 44.28E
35 29 16.66N
129 03 54.28E
35 39 11.64N
36 59 55.80N
128 39 43.87E
128 41 14.76E
Buddhism was imported to the Korean peninsula in the 4th century and the ancient kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje
and Silla respectively acknowledged the religion officially. Since then Buddhism prospered as the national religion for
over 1,000 years until the end of the Goryeo dynasty. The many Buddhist temples that were built in the 5-6th
centuries under the strong patronage of the state contributed to the import of Buddhist culture, architectural
technology and style from the continent. Buddhism of Korea adhered to the religious doctrines imported from India
through China, but the religion combined together with the existing indigenous beliefs and started to develop the
unique style of Korean Buddhist temples.
The traditional belief of revering mountains formed a combination with Buddhism, and establishing temples in the
great mountains of the land became popular. Temples placed on mountains adapted to the topography of the land
and the composition and layout of the buildings evolved into various different forms. The ideals of Seon (禪, Zen)
Buddhism was introduced around 8-9th centuries, and aided in the relocation of Buddhist temples to mountainous,
secluded areas rather than being in the midst of a city. This also promoted the formation of a particular style of
mountain Buddhist temple layout.
Ideas and concepts to maximize the topographical advantages became widespread and a collection of these
thoughts were gradually cumulated and theoretically compiled into a geomancy theory called ‘pungsu’. According to
pungsu theories, the yin and yang energies and the five elements of the universe produce positive energy to the
earth, and certain points that excel in collecting this positive energy are considered auspicious sites. Pungsu had a
great effect on Korea where the land is mostly mountainous.
Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) adopted Confucianism as its state ideal and Buddhism suffered harsh oppressions
during this time. Temples which were originally located in cities could no longer continue its functions. Only those
located in mountainous areas were able to survive. The many theoretical and doctrinal developments that expanded
during the previous 1,000 years of prosperity, slowly merged into one, forming the Tong Buddhist doctrine (Tong 通
meaning consolidation or integration). Architectural layouts and spatial composition of these mountain temples
followed suite of the doctrinal developments.
Mountain temples follow a long winding entrance path up the hill, which leads into the main worship area and the
living areas. The buildings are laid out in a square, forming an inner courtyard in the middle. Looking from the outside,
the square cluster of buildings blocks the viewer to look inside. However because the buildings are located on an
uprise hill, the highest main building forming the square has a commanding open view of the rest of the mountain. In
these squares the most important hall is placed on the top, and halls for meditation, everyday living areas for monks,
and a pavilion form the other three sides. The square and the inner courtyard of the main shrine of worship are
placed in the center of the entire temple. Mountain temples appropriately utilize the peaks in the background and the
topographical features to embody the certain doctrine that it mainly pursues. Also the temple is laid out following
specific axis(es) being interconnected with the valley stream.
The temples can also be divided into areas according the specific functions of the buildings. There are buildings
housing the Buddha or bodhisattvas, lecture halls to learn the Buddhist scripts and doctrines, and living areas for the
monks and the worshippers. The temples house the tangible and intangible aspects of Buddhism and function as
comprehensive ascetic facilities. Respecting the Buddha, conducting rituals, chanting the sutras, and meditating all
takes place within the temples.
The mountain temples of Seonamsa, Daeheungsa, Beopjusa, Magoksa, Tongdosa, Bongjeongsa and Buseoksa
were all established during the Three Kingdoms period, but were standardized in their layout and forms after the midJoseon Dynasty. These temples show the essence of Korean mountain temples with their diverse axes and their
harmony with the surrounding valleys, also continuing on with their comprehensive functions of a religious facility.
1) Seonamsa Temple (仙巖寺)
Seonamsa Temple is located at San 802, Jukhak-ri, Seungju-eup, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do Province. It consists of
approximately 20 buildings and 4 affiliated temples (amja). It is said that the Great Monk Ado started the temple in
527. It is known to have been reestablished in the 9th century by the National Monk Doseon. As the headquarters of
the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism, the buildings are quite large and the temple is characterized by its multilayered square planned buildings with inner courtyards. As the temple was established over the period of 200 years,
the layout takes on the form similar to that of a rural village.
Seonamsa is composed of four areas: Daeungjeon Hall area, Wontongjeon Hall area, Eungjindang Hall area, and the
Gakhwangjeon Hall area. These areas are all separated and have a certain degree of independence from each other
utilizing the height differences of the ground elevations. The appropriate use of laying out buildings maximizing the
small and slanting land, also gives consideration to the vertical and horizontal flow within the temple. Seonamsa was
built upon the doctrinal essence of the Lotus Sutra (Saddharma Pundarika Sutra), and has twin stupas in the inner
court of the main hall area.
2) Daeheungsa Temple (大興寺)
Daeheungsa is located at 799 Gurim-ri, Samseon-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do Province, and has
approximately 45 buildings within its compound. As the Duryunsan Mountain where the temple sits used to be called
Daedunsan Mountain in the past, the temple also used to be called Daedunsa. Since the beginning of the 20 th
century, the temple retained its name of Daeheungsa.
The temple sits on a spacious basin dividing up the land into four areas. Daeungjeon Hall area, Cheonbuljeon Hall
area, Pyochungsa Shrine area, and the Daegwangmyeongjeon Hall area. Pyochungsa Shrine and
Daegwangmyeongjeon Hall were established at a later date than the other two areas and functions as a branch to the
main temple.
Daeheungsa was originally composed of southern and northern quarters, separated by the stream. In the northern
quarter, encircling the Daeungbojeon, buildings of Myeongbujeon, Eungjinjeon, Sansingak, Chimgyeru, and
Baekseoldang are positioned. In the southern quarter, buildings center around the Cheonbuljeon Hall. Pyochungsa
that enshrines the Great Monk Samyeong sits to the far back of the southern quarter, together with the
Daegwangmyeongjeon. Daeheungsa is unique for its layout where the stream divides the temple area right through
the middle.
3) Beopjusa Temple (法住寺)
Beopjusa is in 209 Sanae-ri, Naesokri-myeon, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Province. It has approximately 30
buildings and 10 separate affiliated temples. Beopjusa embodies the doctrines of the Maitreya belief and the Hwaom
ideal. Maitreya belief has the characteristic of placing the main shrines and objects of beliefs in a straight line. The
Daeungjeon represents the Hwaom ideals and the Yonghwabojeon represents the Maitreya ideals. The two axes
meet in a perpendicular angle where the Palsangjeon Hall sits. Each of the axes faces the Gwaneumbong Peak and
the Sujeongbong Peak, both names connecting to the corresponding beliefs. Beopjusa shows the outstanding
interpretation and utilization of the existing topography to fit the doctrinal hierarchy. The two axes of the temple each
represent the separate ideals but are masterfully integrated in the layout. The temple also sits in the land of Buddha
which can be interpreted as being surrounded by the 8 petals of the lotus.
4) Magoksa Temple (麻谷寺)
Sitting in 567, Unam-ri, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do Province, Magoksa is composed of 20
buildings and 3 affiliate temples. Magoksa is separated into the southern and northern quarters by the stream flowing
through the temple. Each space is too confined to house both the Yeongsanjeon area and the Daeungbojeon area.
Therefore giving due consideration to the size of each space and the flow of topography, the Daeungbojeon of the
north faces southwest, while Yeongsanjeon of the south faces southeast, with the axes meeting in a right angle.
However the two gates that connect the quarters gradually turn their angles, easing the entrance into the following
area. The temple does not attempt to lead the visitors in a straight line, which would result in entering the main area
sideways, but gradually twists the entrance road through the gates.
5) Tongdosa Temple (通度寺)
Tongdosa in 583 Jisan-ri, Habuk-myeon, Yangsan-si, Gyeongsangnam-do Province is composed of 59 buildings and
20 separate affiliate temples. As one of the Jewel temples of Korea, Tongdosa is the temple that represents the
Buddha. Established in 648 by the great monk Jajang, the temple houses the relics of Buddha, the sarira and his
robe, together with the first collection of Buddhist sutras. The temple fully taking its form during the Goryeo dynasty
can be divided into three separate areas and an axis that connects all three areas. Daeungjeon Hall of the upper area
where the relics of Buddha are kept has unique architectural values as all four sides portray its centrality. Tongdosa
faithfully exhibits the values of the Tong Buddhism doctrine where the three areas each represent different doctrinal
beliefs and objects of worship.
6) Bongjeongsa Temple (鳳停寺)
Bongjeongsa is located in 901 Taejang-ri, Seohu-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province with 36 buildings
and 3 separate affiliated temples. It is known to be built in 672 by the Great Monk Neungin, later made prosperous by
Uisang who built the Hwaom lecture hall to teach his followers. Writings documenting the repair of the roof parts of
Geuknakjeon Hall in 1363 were found, proving the building to be the oldest wooden structure in Korea. Buildings such
as Daeungjeon, Hwaomgangdang (lecture hall), Gogeumdang are well preserved and the flowing context connecting
the main building, courtyard, Manseru pavilion out towards the surrounding mountains is exquisite.
7) Buseoksa Temple (浮石寺)
Situated in 148 Bukji-ri, Buseok-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, Buseoksa has 25 buildings and a
separate affiliated temple. The temple was established by Monk Uisang to spread his beliefs on the Hwaom doctrine.
The architectural layout well embodies the doctrinal system and belief of the Hwaom sect. The layout of major
buildings, the architectural style of Muryangsujeon Hall, and the interpretation of the surrounding landscape to match
the features of the fundamentals of Hwaom, places Buseoksa as an outstanding example of mountain temples. The
scenery that encompasses the Anyangru Pavilion and Muryangsujeon Hall that actively engages the different ground
levels are counted as the epitome of Korean architecture. Buildings tracing back to the Goryeo dynasty (910-1392)
such as Muryangsujeon and Josadang are well protected, together with other numerous artifacts.
Justification of Outstanding Universal Value
The temples preserve the original form of Buddhism that started from India, following the Chinese style but
expressing the unique format and space that embodies Korean indigenous elements. The topographical feature of
mountainous terrain also played an important role in formulating the traditional Korean temple layout. Korean temple
architecture composes its inner and outer areas in harmonic balance with the surrounding landscape. These temples
are comprehensive religious facilities that contain the Tong Buddhist ideal that can only be found in Korea
encompassing both the Seon (Meditation) School and the Gyo (Doctrinal) School. The functions, rituals, monks, living
and cultural aspects of the temples are inherited and sustained.
Criterion (ii): From the ancient periods, Korea continuously maintained relations with the East Asian countries and
upon these interchange accepted the various Buddhist doctrines and culture. These newly introduced ideas soon
adapted to the beliefs and emotions indigenous to Korea and developed into a unique form. On the basis of the
religious interchange, Korean temples were built based upon the East Asian Buddhist style but developing a unique
architectural layout and space only found in the temples of Korea.
Criterion (iii): Traditional Korean mountain temples show the overall historic development process of Buddhism in
Korea and at the same time is testimony to the traditional Korean architectural style and space. The temples are
especially important in tracing the paths employed by Buddhism during the Confucian Joseon period, through the
location, layout of buildings, and the names and functions of the buildings.
Critrion (iv): The organic architecture of the Korean traditional mountain temples in concordance to the natural
environment created the temple structure typology. The temples are especially influenced by Pungsu and
materialized the ideals of coadjustment for the mutual existence of human and nature. Through the Joseon dynasty
these ideals continued to flourish and by considering heaven, earth and human as a unified being, created an
awareness to make the living land become auspicious. The Buddhist mountain temples are considered to be an
archetype portraying the traditional aesthetics of Korea, which combines the natural environment and the traditional
architecture in harmony.
Critrion (vi): Korean traditional mountain temples embody the Tong Buddhist ideal and practice that is only prevalent
in Korea. The temples are comprehensive facilities which function as a place for ritual, monks, living and culture still
encompassing diverse Buddhist cultural heritage and spaces. These rituals, spaces and functions are still being
carried on.
Statements of authenticity and/or integrity
Traditional Buddhist mountain temples preserve the material architectural heritage and the ideals that stemmed from
both Buddhist and indigenous beliefs. The architecture maintains the original location, style of setting, and the
religious spirit and feeling of the heritage creating a Buddhist land on earth.
As a serial property, all seven temples have established their layout at least two centuries ago during the Joseon
dynasty, embodying the Tong Buddhist thoughts. The structural and functional layouts of the buildings are preserved
and the order of the main worship area is well maintained.
All the necessary elements from the entrance path, main worship area, and the living area are included in the temple
grounds maintaining the integrity of the property. The natural elements forming part of the temple such as the valleys
and mountainous ranges are also well protected showing the important factors of the traditional mountain temples.
Since the mid-20th century, the temples are protected on the basis of the Cultural Heritage Protection Act preventing
the deterioration of the architecture or the surrounding landscape and well maintaining the historic layers. These
temples are also still actively functioning Buddhist temples carrying on the tradition as religious places of worship. As
they are geographically located in mountainous areas, they have not been affected by the development pressures
from surrounding areas, keeping the periodical layers and characteristics through the temple sites, paintings, stone
structures and Buddhist statues.
Comparison with other similar properties
Similar Properties in Korea
In Korea a total of 938 traditional temples are recognized by law. There are numerous and diverse temples
preserving the history and uniqueness of temple layouts. However considering all aspects of complying with the
Outstanding Universal Value of the traditional mountain temples of Korea embodying Tong Buddhist doctrines with
the conditions of authenticity and integrity, and the state of conservation of the properties, there are many temples
that pose difficulties to be included. Temples such as Silleuksa, Donghwasa, Songgwangsa, Haeinsa, Hwaomsa,
Silsangsa, and Beomoesa could be counted as these temples. These temples are representative temples of Korea in
their history, size, Buddhist doctrine that they follow, and their location and architectural style. However many of these
temples have witnessed distortion in their main axes with new modern buildings introduced to the temple grounds,
and unruly extensions of the temple area. The seven temples selected for the tentative list nomination fully display
the Outstanding Universal Value, representing Korean traditional Buddhist architecture and its history, also
maintaining the authenticity and integrity in their state of conservation.
Songgwangsa located in Suncheon-si of Jeollanam-do Province, is one of the Three Jewel Temples of Korea
together with Haeinsa and Tongdosa. Known as the Temple of Sangha, 16 State Monks came forth from
Songgwangsa. Surviving through the Japanese invasions in the 16 th century, Yeosun Incident and the Korean War in
the modern era, the temple lost a magnitude of buildings and almost all of the main worship areas were destroyed.
Although the temple preserves its unique layout portraying the essence of the Avatamsaka Sutra and some traditional
buildings such as the Guksadang, Hasadang, Yaksajeon, Yeongsanjeon and living quarters for monks, most of the
current standing structures were established in the 1980s when the temple underwent full scale reconstruction.
Hwaeomsa located on the southern foot of Jirisan Mountain, is one of the ten Hwaom temples of Korea. It is known to
have been established in the 8th century and the stone inscriptions of the Avatamsaka Sutra were made in this
temple. During the 15th century the temple changed from following the Doctrinal School to the Meditation School. The
temple also suffered damage from the Japanese invasions in the 16 th century but was soon reestablished by
renowned monks in the following years. As one of the main temples following the Meditation School there are many
aspects showing this style but also those characters that attest to the Doctrinal School of before such as the twin
stupas in the courtyard.
The temple shows the main axis changing from an East-West axis to a North-South axis as the temple expanded its
grounds. However the recent changes to the temple including large-scale temple-stay facilities in the entrance area,
changes in the foundation stoneworks, and changes in the entrance path have adversely changed the scenic and
traditional atmosphere of the temple.
Unjusa in Hwasun-gun of Jeollanam-do Province was established during the Silla Kingdom, and was practically
demolished after the Japanese invasions of the 16 th century. Being reestablished in the 18th century the temple is
handed down until this day. The main features of Unjusa are the stone statues and stupas that are scattered amongst
the low rise hills and the valley of the temple. The stone sculptures famously called “Cheonbul cheontap (Thousand
Buddhas and Thousand Stupas)” are diverse in their size, style and form. The aesthetic style of the sculptures
probably executed by untrained artists truthfully shows the folkloristic sense of beauty. The style breaking away from
the set regularity, simplicity overriding formality, and the folkloristic humorous style displayed in the individual
sculptures that are placed together within the grounds of Unjusa is the unique value only found here.
As Unjusa displays the exclusive characteristics and values independently, it is recommended that the temple seek
nomination on the World Heritage List separately, and not as a part of the traditional mountain temples of Korea.
Similar Korean Properties on the World Heritage List
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (Criteria i, iv)
Established in the 8th century under the Silla Kingdom on the slopes of Mount Tohamsan, Seokguram Grotto and
Bulguksa Temple form a religious architectural complex of exceptional significance. Prime Minister Kim Dae-seong
initiated and supervised the construction of the temple and the grotto, the former built in memory of his parents in his
present life and the latter in memory of his parents from a previous life.
The artificial grotto constructed of granite that comprises an antechamber, a corridor and a main rotunda enshrining a
monumental statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha. Together with the portrayals of devas, bodhisattvas and disciples,
sculpted in high and low relief on the surrounding walls, the statues are considered to be a masterpiece of East Asian
Buddhist art. The domed ceiling of the rotunda and the entrance corridor employed an innovative construction
technique that involved the use of more than 360 stone slabs. Together with Bulguksa Temple the property is a
masterpiece of the Silla Kingdom displaying all aspects of architecture, mathematics, religion and art.
Gyeongju Historic Areas (Criteria ii, iii)
The Gyeongju Historic Areas contain a remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in
the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, and the remains of temples and palaces from the flowering culture of Silla
dynasty, in particular between the 7th and 10th century. The property comprises five distinct areas situated in the
centre of Gyeongju and in its suburbs.
The Mount Namsan Belt lies to the north of the city and covers 2,650 ha. The Buddhist monuments that have been
excavated at the time of inscription include the ruins of 122 temples, 53 stone statues, 64 pagodas and 16 stone
lanterns. Excavations have also revealed the remains of the pre-Buddhist natural and animistic cults of the region. 36
individual monuments, including rock-cut reliefs or engravings, stone images and heads, pagodas, royal tombs and
tomb groups, wells, a group of stone banner poles, the Namsan Mountain Fortress, the Poseokjeong Pavilion site
and the Seochulji Pond, exist within this area. The Buddhist monuments of this area comprises an important part in
displaying the entire city of Gyeongju, which was the capital city of Silla for a thousand years. The Gyeongju Historic
Areas contain a number of sites and monuments of exceptional significance in the development of Buddhist and
secular architecture in Korea.
Similar Properties Abroad
Buddhist temples are predominantly located in Asia. They can be widely divided into those following Theravada
Buddhism prevalent in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, and those following Mahayana Buddhism mostly in East Asia.
Southeast Asian temples that follow the branch of Theravada Buddhism greatly differ in their location, architectural
style, function, and layout. The temples of China or Japan following Mahayana Buddhism are similar in their
appearance with the temples of Korea. However the mountainous location, square shape layout with the inner
courtyard, and the architectural style are very different. China and Japan have abundant examples of temples located
in the middle of the city or on flat land rather than on mountainous terrain, and the geometric layouts on a straight line
axis are the main differences from Korean mountainous temples which diverge through the valleys. Also the Korean
temples are evidence of the Tong Buddhist ideal embodying characteristics from both the Doctrinal School and the
Meditation School which is different from the temples of other countries where the temple has a main line of worship.
Mount Wutai, China (Criteria ii, iii, iv, vi)
In the north eastern part of Shanxi Province, Mount Wutai with its five flat peaks is one of the four sacred Buddhist
mountains in China. It is seen as the global centre for Buddhist Manjusri worship. Over 100 temples and shrines in
the property compose the heritage inscribed on the World Heritage List in an area over 18,415 ha. The mountain is
the destination for the Buddhist pilgrimage from all over China, India, and Tibet.
Mount Wutai was the first amongst the sacred Buddhist mountains to have temples established, and although 360 of
them were lost over the long history, the remaining 100 or so temples well maintain their authenticity and integrity.
Especially the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, with life size clay sculptures, and the Ming Dynasty Shuxiang
Temple with a huge complex of 500 suspension statues, representing Buddhist stories woven into three dimensional
pictures of mountains and water are remarkable. The temples are inseparable from their mountain landscape.
Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in the “The Centre of Heaven and Earth”, China (Criteria iii, iv)
Close to the city of Dengfeng in Henan province and spread over a 40 square-kilometre circle, stand eight clusters of
buildings and sites including the Shaolin Temple and its environment in 825 ha. Constructed over the course of nine
dynasties, the property keeps the history of 2000 years.
Mount Songshan is considered to be the central sacred mountain of China. At the foot of this 1500 metre high
mountain, close to the city of Dengfeng in Henan province and spread over a 40 km 2 circle, stand eight clusters of
buildings and sites, including three Han Que gates, temples, the Zhougong Sundial Platform and the Dengfeng
Observatory.
Shaolin Temple is where the Bodhi Dharma, founder of Zen Sect of Buddhism, meditated facing the wall for nine
years, becoming the centre of the Meditation School. The brick pagodas of renowned monks show the history of the
temple. The various buildings are reflections of different ways of perceiving the centre of heaven and earth and the
power of the mountain as a centre for religious devotion.
Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area, Japan (Criteria ii, iii, iv, vi)
The Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area of Nara refers to an area of 15ha centering on the Horyu-ji Temple
established in the 7th century by the Prince Regent Shotoku. There are 48 architectural structures and over 20 of
them are protected as national heritage.
The Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area are the earliest Buddhist monuments in Japan, dating from shortly after
the introduction of Buddhism to the country, and had a profound influence on subsequent religious architecture. They
represent the adaptation of Chinese Buddhist architecture and temple layout to Japanese culture and the subsequent
development of a distinct indigenous style. There are a number of structures dating from the Aska and other periods,
that also preserved its history even during the Buddhist oppression of the Meiji period. The temple is divided into the
Shi-in and To-in placing the stupa and the main shrine in the center.
Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, Japan (Criteria ii, iv)
Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from its foundation in the 8 th century until the middle of the 19th century. As
the centre of Japanese culture for more than 1,000 years, Kyoto illustrates the development of Japanese wooden
architecture, particularly religious architecture, and the art of Japanese gardens, which has influenced landscape
gardening the world over. Buddhism had already been introduced from China and Chinese culture was having a
profound influence on Japan when the capital was moved from Nara to Kyoto in 794. Properties on the World
Heritage site that date from the foundation of Heian-kyo are Karmwakeikauchi-jinja (Shinto shrine), Amomioya-jinja
(Shinto shrine), Kyo-o-gokokuji To-ji (Buddhist temple), Kiyornim-dera (Buddhist temple), and Enryaku-ji (Buddhist
temple); the two large Buddhist temples of Daigo-ji and Ninna-ji are representative of the early Heian period.
Hiraizumi - Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land, Japan (Criteria ii, iv)
Hiraizumi features vestiges of government offices dating from the 11 th and 12th centuries when Hiraizumi was the
administrative centre of the northern realm of Japan and rivalled Kyoto. The realm was based on the cosmology of
Pure Land Buddhism, which spread to Japan in the 8 th century. It represented the pure land of Buddha that people
aspire to after death, as well as peace of mind in this life. In combination with indigenous Japanese nature worship
and Shintoism, Pure Land Buddhism developed a concept of planning and garden design that was unique to Japan.
The four gardens were built by the Ôshû Fujiwara family, the northern branch of the ruling clan, as symbolic
manifestations of the Buddhist Pure Land on this earth, a vision of paradise translated into reality.
The Pure Land gardens of Hiraizumi, focusing on the sacred mountain Mount Kinkeisan, exemplify a fusion between
the ideals of Pure Land Buddhism and indigenous Japanese concepts relating to the relationship between gardens,
water and the surrounding landscape. The Pure Land thought is not only living in the architectural space and style but
also in the religious rituals and the traditional folk arts. The heavily gilded temple of Chûson-ji, reflects the great
wealth of the golden culture of Hiraizumi.
Golden Temple of Dambulla, Sri Lanka (Criteria i, iv)
The ensemble of Dambulla is an outstanding example of the religious art and expression of Sri Lanka and South and
South-East Asia. The excavated shrine-caves, their painted surfaces and statuary are unique in scale and degree of
preservation. The monastery includes significant masterpieces of 18 th century art, in the Sri Lankan school of Kandy.
It has been a sacred pilgrimage site for 22 centuries, and the cave monastery with its five sanctuaries, is the largest,
best-preserved cave-temple complex in Sri Lanka. The Buddhist mural paintings (covering an area of 2,100 m2) are
of particular importance, as are the 157 statues.
Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, Bangladesh (Criteria i, ii, iv)
Evidence of the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in Bengal from the 7th century onwards, Somapura Mahavira, or the
Great Monastery, was a renowned intellectual centre until the 12th century. Its layout perfectly adapted to its religious
function, this monastery-city rep¬resents a unique artistic achievement. With its simple, harmonious lines and its
profusion of carved decoration, it influenced Buddhist architecture as far away as Cambodia.
The Paharpur Vihara is quadrangular in form, with a colossal temple of a cross-shaped floor plan in the centre of the
courtyard and with an elaborate gateway complex on the north. There are 45 cells on the north and 44 in each of the
other three sides, making a total number of 177 monastic cells along the enclosure walls on the four sides. This
layout, and the decoration of carved stones and terracotta plaques, reflects the building's religious function, which is
greatly influenced by Buddhist architecture from Cambodia and Java (Indonesia). This 7th century archaeological find
covers an area of about 11 ha. The entire establishment, which occupies a quadrangular court measuring more than
275m, exter¬nally on each side, has high enclosure-walls about 5m thick and 3-5m high.