Study on the Evolution of the Characteristics of Joseon Dynasty Temples as Seen through the Suseo-dong Ruins

Since its arrival in Korea in A.D. 372, Buddhism gained widespread acceptance with support from the royal family and ruling classes. However, during the Joseon Dynasty, Buddhism declined as Confucian scholars came to power, leading to a reduction in national economic backing for temples. Despite this, the royal family and prominent families continued to support Buddhism initially. Nevertheless, the role of temples in rituals and tomb protection diminished as Confucianism gained prominence. The Imjin War expedited the decline of royal tombs, with even Neungchimsa Temple, responsible for their management, ceasing to exist in some cases. Some temples near Neung were designated for tomb management but without financial support, they too declined. The Suseo-dong ruins, constructed in the late 15th century and active until the 19th century, consisted of 12 buildings and four tile kilns. Initially, nine buildings and kilns were built around a central yard in the late 15th century. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, the kilns were destroyed, and three overlapping buildings were arranged. Excavations revealed high-quality porcelain, sharpen tiles, and dragon-patterned tiles suitable for royal or related facilities, along with lotus and Sanskrit marked tiles used in temples. In 1495, the tomb site of Gwangpyung Prince (1425-1444) was relocated to the Seonneung site, and a Bunam for the Gwangpyung Prince family was erected, serving for at least a century. Between the early 17th century and 1728, the site was known as Bongheon Temple, later dedicated to Jopo Temple, responsible for managing Heonneung. The temple's nature shifted from a private family temple (Bunam) to a tomb management temple (Jopo). Despite maintaining its reputation until at least 1872, Bongheon Temple eventually closed due to a lack of economic support.