Mireuksa: Vestiges of a Great Kingdom
Name: Mireuksa
Architect: Unknown
Date/Year: ~597-641 C.E
Materials: Mainly wood and stone
Location: Iksan, Jeollabuk-do
At the foot of a mountain jutting out from the vast plains of the Jeolla province, stands an unassuming litter of stones and a half-ruined stone pagoda. However, more than a 1000 years ago, this site was the crown jewel of the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje. In the 13th-century text Samguk yusa (三國遺事), it is said that, in 602 C.E, King Mu of Baekje (武王) commissioned the temple after seeing images of the future Buddha over a pond though temple construction started in 597 C.E. As the temple grew in size and importance, more additions were added, even up to the start of the Imjin War between Japan and Korea in 1592, at which point the temple was completely destroyed. However, at its peak, it was a point of national pride for Baekje, and symbolised the nation’s power and affluence. Due to its importance, I believe this site is unique compared to other temples, which, despite their more preserved architecture, had much more importance during its heyday.
Over the next 300 years, the site lay in ruin, gradually being covered up by the encroaching Korean flora, until, in 1915, concrete was added to the remaining stone pagoda in order to strengthen it. Further archaeological efforts were realised further into the 20th century: in 1974, the site was briefly scoured before being the site of a full archaeological excavation in 1980. In 2001, a 10-year long project commenced in which the main pagoda of the site was carefully taken apart and put back together to fully rebuild the pagoda. During which a few notable archaeological artefacts were uncovered: for example, a gold plate was uncovered inside the pagoda with inscriptions about the temple’s founding. Despite these discoveries, the site remains barren with only a few rebuilt stone pagodas still standing and some foundations of the structures that once covered the vast area upon which the temple was built. However, it is important to visualise the architectural grandeur that this temple once possessed, not ignoring its importance due to its current state. This temple was the pride and joy of a great kingdom long gone, and it is important to keep that heritage alive in this modern era.
References:
Baekje World Heritage Centre
Dale’s Korean Temple Adventures
https://koreantempleguide.com/mireuksa-ji-temple-site- %EB%AF%B8%EB%A5%B5%EC%82%AC%EC%A7%80-iksan-jeollabuk-do/
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