Tongdosa

Tongdosa (, "Salvation of the World through Mastery of Truth") is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and in the southern part of Mt. Chiseosan near Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Yangsan is home to several attractions, including Tongdosa Temple, Yangsan Tower, and Yangsan Stadium.

Tongdosa is one of the Three Jewels Temples and represents Gautama Buddha.

Tongdosa in South Gyeongsang Province represents the Buddha; Haeinsa, also in South Gyeongsang Province, represents the dharma or Buddhist teachings; and Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province represents the sangha or Buddhist community.

(Haeinsa, also in South Gyeongsang Province, represents the dharma or Buddhist teachings; and Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province represents the sangha or Buddhist community.)

Though smaller in size, it is considered as the greatest among the trio of Three Jewels Temples representing “the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha". The other two of the trio, Tongdosa and Haeinsa, are located in South Gyeongsang Province.

Tongdosa was established by the monk Jajang after returning from Tang China in 646, during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla.

He is credited with founding the temple of Tongdosa in 646 CE, near in what is now Busan, South Korea, and played a significant role in the adoption of Buddhism as the national religion of Silla.

Tongdosa (, "Salvation of the World through Mastery of Truth") is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and in the southern part of Mt. Chiseosan near Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Tongdosa was established by the monk Jajang after returning from Tang China in 646, during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla.

Bunhwangsa, Oseam, Sangwonsa, Yeongmyosa, Tongdosa, Woljeongsa, Baekdamsa, and Magoksa were also built during her reign.

Tongdosa (, "Salvation of the World through Mastery of Truth") is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and in the southern part of Mt. Chiseosan near Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Tongdosa (, "Salvation of the World through Mastery of Truth") is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and in the southern part of Mt. Chiseosan near Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Tongdosa (, "Salvation of the World through Mastery of Truth") is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism and in the southern part of Mt. Chiseosan near Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.

Tongdosa is one of the Three Jewels Temples and represents Gautama Buddha.

(Haeinsa, also in South Gyeongsang Province, represents the dharma or Buddhist teachings; and Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province represents the sangha or Buddhist community.)

(Haeinsa, also in South Gyeongsang Province, represents the dharma or Buddhist teachings; and Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province represents the sangha or Buddhist community.) Only one building, the Mahavira Hall (main Dharma worship hall), survived the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98) in the late 16th century; the other buildings were rebuilt later that period.

(Haeinsa, also in South Gyeongsang Province, represents the dharma or Buddhist teachings; and Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province represents the sangha or Buddhist community.)

(Haeinsa, also in South Gyeongsang Province, represents the dharma or Buddhist teachings; and Songgwangsa in South Jeolla Province represents the sangha or Buddhist community.)

Courtyards at the temple are arrayed around several pagodas that house the Buddha's relics.

Tongdosa was established by the monk Jajang after returning from Tang China in 646, during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla.

It thrived throughout the Later Silla and Goryeo periods, when Buddhism was the state religion, and remained strong even during Joseon.

It thrived throughout the Later Silla and Goryeo periods, when Buddhism was the state religion, and remained strong even during Joseon.

It thrived throughout the Later Silla and Goryeo periods, when Buddhism was the state religion, and remained strong even during Joseon.

It thrived throughout the Later Silla and Goryeo periods, when Buddhism was the state religion, and remained strong even during Joseon.

Tongdosa is reputed to house several relics of the Buddha himself, including a robe, a begging bowl, and a bone from his skull, all relics that Jajang brought back from the travels to Tang China he undertook in 636 to study with ten other monks.

Tongdosa is reputed to house several relics of the Buddha himself, including a robe, a begging bowl, and a bone from his skull, all relics that Jajang brought back from the travels to Tang China he undertook in 636 to study with ten other monks.

Only one building, the Mahavira Hall (main Dharma worship hall), survived the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98) in the late 16th century; the other buildings were rebuilt later that period.

Only one building, the Mahavira Hall (main Dharma worship hall), survived the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98) in the late 16th century; the other buildings were rebuilt later that period.