Tongdosa temple is one of Korea’s five “Palace of the Jewel of Nirvana” temples, where the relics of the Buddha substitute for a statue. Precept Master Jajang brought the relics, including part of the Buddha’s robes, from China and enshrined them (646C.E). Consequently, the temple represents the Buddha of Korea’s three Jewel Temples and it also is a Full Monastic Training Temple, with Yeongchuk Monastery. Mt. Yeongchuk surrounding the temple resembles Mt. Grdhrakatu where the Buddha delivered the Lotus Sutra and Tongdo, the name of temple means “Pass through (to) Enlightenment.” In addition, all monks have to pass through the Diamond Precept Platform(Geumganggyedan) at the temple, where ordinations take place. It is traditionally a Seon Temple which has had many famous monks including Seon Master Gyeongbong. Before entering the temple compound, the visitor has to pass over the “windless” bridge which leads into a forest of “windless” pines. Most temples have a bridge-often over a wonderful rushing torrent- before the gates to the compound. There are numerous temple buildings between the Iljumoon(one pillar gate) and the Daeungjeon(Main Buddha Hall). Of special interest is the Tongdosa Museum that is the only one in the world dedicated to the preservation of Buddhist temple paintings. As far as the number of buildings is concerned, there are over 50 temple buildings inside of temple compound, the largest temple in Korea. Many of these ancient buildings look today just as they did in the past. There are many small 20 hermitages scattered around the temple grounds. The river-valley and forest near Tongdosa are an ecological paradise.
