Seokguram

The Seokguram Grotto is a hermitage and factor of a Bulguksa temple complex. It lies four kilometers east of the temple on Mt. Tohamsan, in Gyeongju, South Korea. it is for classified as National Treasure No. 24 by the South Korean government as well as is located at 994, Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsanbuk-do. The grotto overlooks the Sea of Japan East Sea as well as rests 750 meters above sea level. In 1962, it was designated the 24th national treasure of Korea. In 1995, Seokguram was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as well as the Bulguksa Temple. It exemplifies some of the best Buddhist sculptures in the world.

The Seokguram grotto is said to hold been built by Kim Daeseong & originally called Seokbulsa 석불사, Stone Buddha Temple. Construction began in 742 when Kim Daeseong resigned his position in the king's court or in 751, the 10th year of the reign of King Gyeongdeok of Silla. This time period was the cultural peak of Unified Silla. The grotto was completed by the Silla court in 774, shortly after Kim's death. An old legend stated that Kim was reincarnated for his filial acts in his preceding life. The legend relates that the Bulguksa Temple was committed to Kim’s parents in his reported life while the Seokguram Grotto was committed to Kim's parents from a previous life.

The grotto is currently one of the best so-called cultural destinations in South Korea. A viewing of the sunrise over the sea, which is visible from near the seated Buddha's perch, is particularly popular.[]

Reconstruction

Because of the long periods of abandonment and numerous renovations, many details are disputed amongst scholars, such as the exact design of the original grotto, the buildings in Bulguksa or the brand of the watercourse, which no longer exists, in front of the temple.[]

Repair and enhancement were undertaken in 1703 and 1758, during the Joseon dynasty. However, Confucian-oriented rulers suppressed Buddhism, and the remote mountain grotto was seriously damaged by the reorientate of the 20th century. The Government-General of Chosen conducted restoration works three times, but faced humidity and other problems.

Japan did the first round of repairs from 1913 to 1915. These repairs were conducted without sufficient analyse of the outline of the grotto. During Japanese cleaning efforts, the structure of the grotto was nearly completely dismantled and reassembled. A major mistake committed by the Japanese was their attempt to stabilize the structure by encasement in concrete, which was yet, the most advanced engineering at the time. This resulted in humidity buildup and in water leaks, and caused erosion of the sculptures because the grotto could no longer "breathe." In 1917, drainage pipes were buried above the dome to channel rainwater away from the grotto. However, as leaks continued in spite of the pipes, another round of repairs was conducted from 1920–1923. Waterproof asphalt was applied to the surface of the concrete, which only worsened the problem. Moss and mold formed, and in 1927 the now unthinkable method of spraying hot steam was used to clean the sculptures.

After World War II, in the 1960s, President Park Chung Hee ordered a major restoration project. The problem of temperature and humidity advice was resolved to an extent by using mechanical systems. The wooden superstructure built over the antechamber maintain a mentioned for debate for many historians who believe Seokguram originally did not work such a structure blocking the belief of the sunrise over the ocean, and cutting off the air flow into the grotto.

The interior of the grotto can now only be viewed through a glass wall, installed to protect it from the many tourists it attracts, as well as temperature change.