KBS 역사스페셜 – 부석사 지하에는 13미터 용이 있다 / KBS 2001.5.5. 방송

The Discovery of the Stone Dragon at Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju The stone dragon of Buseoksa Temple, which had been regarded merely as a legend, has revealed itself. A radar survey of the area surrounding Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, utilizing state-of-the-art technology, revealed a truly astonishing fact. A massive stone dragon measuring a staggering 13 meters in actual length was discovered. The dragon's spine rose prominently as if carved from natural bedrock, its tail narrowed downwards, and its overall shape was slightly curved. It was the moment the true nature of the dragon, which could have remained buried forever, was revealed. Its tail lay deep underground while its head faced toward the main Buddha statue, appearing as if it were about to ascend to the heavens. Seonmyo's Love for Great Master Uisang What, then, is the true identity of that dragon? It was Seonmyo, a woman from the Tang Dynasty who had loved Uisang during his studies in China. Legend has it that she threw herself into the sea to become his guardian dragon, unable to fulfill her love for him... A shrine dedicated to Seonmyo still stands at Buseoksa Temple, and surprisingly, traces of her presence can also be found in Japan. It was being enshrined as a statue of Seonmyo at Kōzan-ji, a famous temple in Japan. The Story of the Dragon in the Founding Legend of Buseoksa Temple After returning to Silla, Uisang founded Buseoksa Temple, the principal temple of the Hwaeom sect. However, before the founding of Buseoksa, he faced great difficulties due to a large group opposing Hwaeom Buddhism... Yet, Seonmyo, who transformed into a dragon for Uisang, drove away the opposing factions by lifting and lowering massive stones, thereby helping to establish Buseoksa. In this way, a dragon appears in the founding legend of Buseoksa and provides great assistance... As the story of the dragon Seonmyo became intertwined with the temple's founding legend, it was imbued with sacredness, becoming a more beloved and sacred temple among the people of Silla and serving as a catalyst to engrave the greatness of Great Master Uisang in people's minds. It also served as a major focal point for spreading the Hwaeom sect throughout Silla. The Strange Floating Stone at Buseoksa Temple, Buseok To the lower left of Muryangsujeon Hall at Buseoksa Temple lies a peculiar natural bedrock. It is a massive stone weighing 100 tons. There is a large gap between the supporting stone and the massive stone, rather than them touching. This stone, which appears as if only the top stone is floating separately, is called Buseok. In other words, it is a name given because it appears to be floating in the air. The name of Buseoksa Temple, which is associated with the temple's founding legend, originates from this very fact. History Special Episode 113 – There Is a 13-Meter Dragon Beneath Buseoksa Temple (Aired May 5, 2001) http://history.kbs.co.kr/