The Light of Buddhism Illuminating Haman, to the Public After 1000 Years!

Exhibition of Five Gilt-Bronze Buddha Statues Unearthed from Uigoksa Site for the First Time

Five gilt-bronze Buddha statues excavated from Uigoksa Temple Site in Haman, Gyeongnam, will be unveiled for the first time through the exhibition "Buddhist Culture Found in the Soil ? Breaking News on Excavated Artifacts from Silla Temple Sites."

Hosted by the National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute, the Central Buddhist Museum, and the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Research Institute, the exhibition will be held for 45 days from the 11th to June 25th in Exhibition Room 3 of the Central Buddhist Museum. It will showcase over 100 artifacts excavated from Silla temples, including the gilt-bronze Buddha statues from the Uigoksa Temple Site in Haman.

Gilt-bronze Buddha statue excavated from Haman Uigoksa site (Gangmyeong-ri site). [Image courtesy of the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Research Institute]

At the opening ceremony held prior to the exhibition, about 50 people attended, including Jo Geun-je, the governor of Haman County; Choi Eung-cheon, Commissioner of the Cultural Heritage Administration; Yoon Seong-yong, Director of the National Museum of Korea; Kim Yeon-su, Director of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage; Park Sang-su, Mayor of Samcheok; Kim Jin-yeol, Governor of Gunwi County; Hwang In-ho, Director of the National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute; and other officials.

The event began with the recitation of the Three Refuges and the Heart Sutra, led by Monk Seong-min. This was followed by a progress report on the exhibition by Kwon Taek-jang, Curator of the National Gyeongju Cultural Heritage Research Institute; a congratulatory address by Monk Jin-woo and Commissioner Choi Eung-cheon; greetings and a plaque presentation ceremony by Monk Mi-deung and Director Kim Yeon-su of the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage; a ribbon-cutting ceremony; and commemorative photo session.

At the plaque presentation ceremony, Governor Jo received a plaque in recognition of his active support for the excavation of the Uigoksa Temple Site in Haman and his contribution to the preservation of Haman’s Buddhist cultural heritage.

The Light of Buddhism Illuminating Haman, Opening Ceremony to the Public After 1000 Years.
[Image provided by Haman County]

The excavation of the Uigoksa Temple Site, promoted by Haman County and the Buddhist Cultural Heritage Research Institute, was selected as part of the "Important Abandoned Temple Site Survey and Excavation" project, supported by the Ministry of Economy and Finance’s Lottery Fund since 2013 through the Cultural Heritage Administration. The excavation began in 2021.

During the investigation, stepped stone retaining walls and building sites that estimate the scale of the temple were confirmed. Numerous artifacts were excavated, including roof tiles inscribed with the temple name "Uigoksa (義谷寺)," gilt-bronze Buddha statues, bronze pagoda fragments, and iron bells, which provide insight into the temple’s central period of operation and its status from the Unified Silla to the Goryeo Dynasty.

An official from Haman County said, "This exhibition is a very good opportunity to share the results of the Uigoksa Temple Site excavation with the public. We hope it will raise interest in the study of Haman’s Buddhist culture and serve as a stepping stone for more in-depth academic research."

For inquiries related to this exhibition, please contact the Central Buddhist Museum. For inquiries regarding the excavation of the Uigoksa Temple Site in Haman, please contact the Gaya History Division of the Haman County Cultural Heritage and Tourism Office.