Yeongdeok's Jangyuksa Daeungjeon Hall, Home to Joseon Buddhist Art, Nears National Treasure Status

Recognition of 17th-century architectural features, murals and dancheong

Korea Heritage Service proposes designation as a Treasure

Temple to hold four Treasures if designation is finalized

Boosting the status of Yeongdeok's historical and cultural heritage

Jangyuksa Temple’s Daeungjeon Hall in Changsu-myeon, Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province, has entered the process for designation as a national Treasure in recognition of its value to the study of late Joseon Buddhist architecture and art history.

Yeongdeok County said the Korea Heritage Service announced on November 11 that it planned to designate Daeungjeon Hall at Jangyuksa Temple as a Treasure, a nationally designated cultural heritage.

A view of Jangyuksa Temple in Changsu-myeon, Yeongdeok-gun, North Gyeongsang Province [Photo by Yeongdeok County]

Jangyuksa is an ancient temple believed to have been founded by Buddhist master Naong (1320–1376), regarded as one of the three great Buddhist masters in Korea.

The temple currently holds three Treasures, including a dry-lacquer seated statue of Avalokitesvara designated a Treasure in 1989, as well as the Yeongsan Hoesangdo and Jijang Siwangdo, both designated in 2024.

If Daeungjeon Hall receives final designation, the number of Treasures held by Jangyuksa will rise to four.

The Daeungjeon Hall at Jangyuksa, which has been proposed for designation, is regarded as a building that retains architectural features from the late 17th century and shows how Buddhist temple architecture and interior decoration evolved through the mid-18th century.

In particular, the murals, dancheong (traditional multicolored paintwork) and interior decorations that remain inside the building are considered important resources for examining the characteristics of late Joseon Buddhist art.

The distinctive murals and decorative techniques inside Daeungjeon Hall are also considered highly valuable for academic research into the lineages and interactions of the monk-artists who created Buddhist paintings at the time.

The preservation of both architectural styles and elements of painting and decoration has also drawn attention, as it allows researchers to examine the development of late Joseon Buddhist architecture and painting as a whole.

The Korea Heritage Service plans to gather opinions from various sectors during the 30-day designation notice period and then decide whether to designate the hall as a Treasure after deliberation by the National Heritage Committee.

The interior of Daeungjeon Hall at Jangyuksa Temple, preserving the characteristics of late Joseon Buddhist architecture [Photo: Yeongdeok County]

Yeongdeok County Mayor Jo Joo-hong said, "The proposed designation of Daeungjeon Hall at Jangyuksa, one of the region's leading temples, as a Treasure recognizes its historical and cultural value. We will work to systematically preserve and manage cultural heritage and continue to identify outstanding heritage remaining in the region, thereby enhancing Yeongdeok's historical and cultural value."

Meanwhile, Yeongdeok County has continued to pursue national heritage designation for local cultural assets. Over the past five years, it has secured a total of five newly designated national heritage items: two Treasures, one Scenic Site and two National Folk Cultural Heritage items.

If Daeungjeon Hall at Jangyuksa receives final designation as a Treasure, it is expected to provide fresh impetus for preserving Yeongdeok County's Buddhist cultural heritage and making use of its historical and cultural resources.

The proposed designation of Daeungjeon Hall at Jangyuksa as a Treasure is significant because it offers an opportunity to reassess the historical value of late Joseon Buddhist architecture and painting at the national level.

Along with the final designation decision, systematic management to preserve the hall in its original form remains an important task.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.