1488 - Data Points by Date/Period

The Old Town of Đurđevac, known in Croatian as 'Stari grad Đurđevac,' and in Hungarian as 'Szentgyörgyvár,' is thought to have been constructed by the Bishop of Pécs, likely around 1488. Positioned on elevated terrain amidst a swamp north of Đurđevac in Croatia, this fortress was established due to ongoing conflicts among nobles and the looming threat of Turkish invasions. The tower's elevation reaches approximately 30 feet (9 m).Situated within the fortress itself, a designated Category I cultural monument, the gallery serves as the pivotal art space of northwestern Croatia. The expansive interior houses three grand salons that host rotating exhibitions by esteemed artists, while the fourth salon showcases a curated collection of artworks by local Podravina painters. Preserved within the attic of the Old Town, often referred to as the 'Croatian Louvre,' is the magnificent donation by the renowned painter Ivan Lacković Croata. This exceptional assortment comprises over 2,000 exhibits, encompassing paintings, sculptures, posters spanning the globe, and traditional Croatian attire, graciously gifted by the artist to Đurđevac.Picokijada, a longstanding cultural-tourist event in the Old Town of Đurđevac, has been celebrated annually since 1968 in late June. Spanning three days, its centerpiece is the 'Legend of the Rooster,' a commemoration of the town's defense against the Ottoman Turks. The legend unfolds during the Ottoman attack on the Old Town Đurđevac. Facing resistance, Ulama-beg, the Ottoman commander, besieged the town in an attempt to starve its defenders. In a creative turn, an old woman suggested launching a small rooster from a cannon into the Ottoman camp as a symbolic food source. Misinterpreting this tactic, Ulama-beg retreated, cursing the people of Đurđevac as 'Picoki' or 'roosters.' The event marks a historical turning point and captures the resilience of the town against adversity.

The temple was founded in 418 AD by the Great Master Ado during the King Nulji of Silla Dynasty. The name of the temple originated from the teaching of Seon (Zen) sect, 'Pointing straight into the mind to see the true self, achieve Buddhahood'. It was renovated by the Vinaya Master Jajang under Queen Seondeog (645) and again by the Great Master Cheonmuk under King Gyeongsun (930) of Silla Dynasty. During the following Goryeo Dynasty, when Patriarch Neungyeo reconstructed it on a large scale, the temple was called 'The Supreme Monastery of the East' which had produced many distinguished Masters. When King Jeongjong of Joseon Dynasty, the temple was reconstructed (1399) and the great Master Hakjo under King Seongjong added a great extension of the temple (1488) to become one of the eight largest temples in the country. Many national, royal masters studied here and the Patriotic Great Master Samyeong whose meritorious service saved the country during the Japanese invasion in the 16th century, received ordination in this monastery. Buddhism was suppressed by the Joseon Dynasty government. Seon(Zen) Master Byeokgye Jeongsim stayed here to continue the Korean Seon(Zen). The temple was completely burned down during the King Seonjo by Japanese invasion (1596) and reconstruction started from the King Seonjo 35th year (1602) and completed by the KIng Hyeonjong (1662) during about 60 years. There had been partial renovations in the later period of the Joseon Dynasty during the years of the King Gojong and over the recent three decades since 1963, the present site of pavilions and buildings have been restored and extended. Six of the designated National Treasures are to be found in this temple amongst many other valuable relics: The Main Buddha Hall (Treasure No. 1596), the Three Panelled Painting of Buddhist Triad in the Main Buddha Hall (Treasure No. 670), the Seated Stone Yaksa Yeorae (Treasure No. 319), the Three Storied Stone two Pagodas in front of the Main Buddha Hall (Treasure No. 606), the Three Storied Stone Pagoda in front of the Varocana Hall (Treasure No. 607), the Three Storied Stone Pagoda in front of the Chyeongpung Ryo (Treasure No. 1186).

It is believed to have been originally established in 418 during the reign of King Nulchi (r. 417-458) by Master Ado Hwasang. Its name, Jikji, originated according to the guidance of Chan Buddhism, 'Direct pointing to the human mind, seeing one's own nature to attain Buddhahood'. Master Jajang Yulsa reconstructed Jikjisa temple with the support of Queen Seondok (r. 632-647) of the Silla dynasty in 645. After that, it was once again reestablished by Master Cheonmuk Daesa in 930 and Master Neungyeo Josa in 936 with the support of Taejo of Goryeo. During this reconstruction process. Jikjisa temple enjoyed a major renovation. At its time, Jikjisa temple was widely accepted as the best temple in Korea since it produced great outstanding monks. In the Joseon dynasty Jikjisa temple was reconstructed in 1399. Moreover, when extensive rebuilding and expansion worked out by master Hakjo Daesa in 1488, Jikjisa temple became one of the best eight temples in Joseon dynasty, Jikjisa temple was a place where numerous high priests and great abbots were devoted. Also, Samyeong Daesa, who performed a meritorious deed during Japanese invasions, had become a Buddhist monk here. At the early stage of the Joseon dynasty, when persecution of Buddhism was implemented officially, Jeongsim Seonsa retired to hermitage here and continued to cultivate Buddhist doctrine. Most of the facilities of Jikjisa temple were damaged and lost by arson of Japanese invaders in 1596. Jikjisa temple was started to be reconstructed in 1602 and completely restored in 1662. Since the 1660s, more than 50 years of reconstruction has made Jikjisa temple's presence form. Inside of the temple, numerous cultural heritages including Daeungjeon Hall of Jikjisa temple (Treasure No. 1576), Buddha triad paintings of Jikjisa temple Daeungjeon hall (Treasure No. 670), Seated Stone Bhaisaiyaguru (Treasure No. 319), East-West Three-Story Pagodas in front of Daeungjeon hall (Treasure No. 606), Three-Story Pagoda in front of Vairocana hall (Treasure No. 607), Three-Story Pagoda in front of Jikjisa Temple Buddhist Heritage Museum (Treasure No 1186), and more than one hundred buildings have been well preserved.

Haeinsa's basic doctrinal text is the Flower Garland Sutra, accordingly, Haeinsa does not have the Hall of Great Hero where Shakyamuni Buddha is housed, instead Haeinsa's main Buddha hall is the Great Hall of Tranquil Light dedicated to Vairocana Buddha, the presiding Buddha of the Flower Garland World, Vairocana Buddha, who is also the Dharma - Body Buddha, symbolizes the eternal truth. 'Vairocana' has the meaning of 'saving the world with light,' and Vairocana Buddha truly signifies the sun, since Vairocana Buddha illuminates the world with light, the name of this hall has a Chinese character that means 'light'. So, it is called the Great Hall of Tranquil Light, the Great Hall of Radiance, or the Hall of Vairocana. It is also called the Hall of Flower Garland as 'the Flower Garland World' means the Lotus-Treasury World that keeps all the myriad things of the universe. This hall was originally a two-story building called the Hall of Vairocana, Great Master Hakjo renovated and transformed it into the Great Hall of Tranquil Light with the support of Queen Mother Insoo and Queen Mother Inhye in 1488 (the 19th year of King Seongjong of Chosun Dynasty), It was destroyed by fire several times. The current building was constructed by Jewol Sunim with the support of Governor Kim Nogyeong of Gyeongsang Province in 1817 (the 17th year of King Soonjoo of Joseon dynasty). In 1971, Abbot Eminent Jigwan remodeled it significantly. This building has five kan units in the front (a kan is a square space enclosed by two pillars and two beams) and four kan units each side. It has double-eaves with their protruding corners and a triangular shape appears on both sides of the roof. The eaves are sustained by multiple wooden supports on the top of and also between the pillars.The statue of Vairocana Buddha, the main Buddha of Haeinsa, resides in the center of the hall. The statue is placed on the Sumeru Platform, which depicts the image of Vairocana Buddha unfolding his teachings on Mt. Sumeru, Vairocana Buddha is attended on by Manjusri the Bodhisattva of Wisdom on the left and by Samantabhadra the Bodhisattva of Great Vow and Action on the right, both of whom are wearing crowns. Vairocana Buddha, Bodhisattva Manjusri, and Bodhisattva Samantabhadra form the Three Honored Buddhas with Vairocana Buddha as the main Buddha. The statues of these Three Honored Buddhas are registered as Tangible Cultural Property No. 38 of Gyeongnam province.

1488 (3)

Other Dates/Periods

1839

1821

17-09-2023

0418

01-10-2020

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