Iljumun
Entrance gate of Korean Buddhist temples
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Iljumun (Korean: 일주문; Hanja: 一柱門; lit. 'One-pillar gate') is the first gate of Korean Buddhist temples. Its name originated from the pillars being in one line.[1] A tablet with the temple's name is usually installed on the gate.[2]
Description
Iljumun is one of the three major types of gates constructed on the path that leads to the temple and often illustrates the formality of Buddhist architecture.[3] The other two are the sacheonwangmun (사천왕문; 四天王門) and burimun (불이문; 不二門).[4] The three gates are sometimes referred to as sanmun (산문; 山門).[5]
Physically, the gate serves to demarcate the temple from the outside.[6] It symbolizes purification and one must leave all of their worldly desires before entering the temple.[7] The oneness is also a metaphor for non-duality (unity) in spirit and heart.[8]
Iljumun is said to have originated from the tradition of placing four gates at the four cardinal points around the stupas of Sanchi in India since the 1st century BC.[9]
In culture
An image of an Iljumun appears on the obverse of the Korean Service Medal.
