영광 불갑사(佛甲寺)의 위상과 역사적 의의

Abstract

The Bulgapasa Temple in Moak Mountain(母岳山) in Yeonggwang(靈光), Jeollanamdo Province is widely known as the Buddhist temple built by the Monk Moranata(摩羅難陀) of India during the reign of King Chimlyu(枕流王) of Baekje. The records of the founding tales are based on the Buddhist temple records in the late Chosun Dynasty, and the credibility of them has declined. However, it can be confirmed that Bulgapasa Temple was built from the end of the 4th century when Buddhism was transferred from China to Baekje. The Bulgapasa Temple was built at the time Buddhism was introduced to Baekje. It was during the reign of King Chungjeong(忠定王) of Korea(高麗) that Bulgapasa Temple was at its heyday. At that time, Monk Boku(復丘) was designated as king’s teacher. The temple was able to grow into a giant temple of about 500 kings as it greatly expanded in King Chungjeong or King Gongmin(恭愍王). Since then, it has been possible for Bulgapasa Temple to become famous as a representative temple of Honam(湖南) because it has become an king’s teacher Monk Boku’s Hasanso(下山所). There is no record that can grasp the reality of Bulgapasa Temple until the early Chosun dynasty. After Jeongyu(丁酉) War of the 16th century, the temple has repeatedly developed its own development continuously. However, it was difficult to recover the same scale and status as the previous era. In November 2011, three Buddhist paintings of the Joseon Dynasty, which were held by Bulgapasa Temple, were designated as tangible cultural properties of Jeollanamdo Province. This is also the result of the constant efforts to maintain and develop the long tradition of the millennium temples. In particular, a large part of Jinnaeri, Yeonggwang, was constructed as the first destination of Baekje Buddhism. It will be said that Bulgapasa Temple has also established an important opportunity to develop into a tourist destination of international Buddhism together with Beobseongpo Estuary.