Mireuktang (Korean: 미륵당; Hanja: 彌勒堂), also known as Beophwadang, built in 1959, is a shrine dedicated to Maitreya in Pajang-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. It was designated as Local Cultural Heritage No. 5 by Suwon City Council on April 8, 1986.[1]
| Mireukdang Shrine | |
|---|---|
| Native name 미륵당 (Korean) | |
 Mireukdang Shrine | |
| Location | Gyeonsu-daero 1220beongil, Pajang-dong, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea |
| Coordinates | 37°19′17″N 126°59′22″E / 37.32139°N 126.98944°E |
| Built | 1959 |
  Location of Mireukdang Shrine in South Korea | |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 미륵당 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Mireukdang |
| McCune–Reischauer | Mirŭktang |
Overview
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The small brick building, 3.1m in height, was built to house a statue of Maitreya, who was believed to protect the village where it stands. Only the upper half of the granite statue is exposed, with the lower half below ground. The upper body alone is about 2.44m in height, the chest is about 1.07m wide, and the head measures about 1.14 cm in height.[2] The statue is believed to represent a Maitreya combined with folk beliefs since the mid-Joseon Dynasty due to its sculpting technique. The statue is made from a single granite rock, and features an oval pedestal.
References
edit- ^ "Pajang-dongmani anira Suwonjeoncheui pyeonganeul wihan josangui maeumi yeotboineun" (in Korean). Suwon Internet News. Retrieved 2023-03-22.
- ^ "Mireukdang" (in Korean). Suwon City Council Council. Retrieved 2023-03-22.