Magoksa Temple Daegwangbojeon in Gongju and Gulpijari Designated as Chungnam Cultural Heritage

The Gulpi Mat of Daegwangbojeon at Magoksa Temple in Gongju and the Lotus Sutra at Muryangsa Temple in Buyeo have been newly designated as cultural heritage of Chungnam Cheongnam-do. / Chungnam Province

The Gulpijari mat from Daegwangbojeon Hall at Magoksa Temple in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, and the Myobeopyeonhwagyeong from Muryangsa Temple in Buyeo have been newly designated as cultural heritage assets of Chungcheongnam-do.

According to Chungcheongnam-do Province on the 2nd, Gulpijari is a mat woven from thin strips of thick bark from oak trees, known as gulpi, and is mainly known to have been produced in the Hamgyeongbuk-do region.

The Gulpijari mat from Daegwangbojeon Hall at Magoksa Temple is estimated to have been made around 1782, when the hall was repaired, and is considered to have significant historical and academic value. The province plans to pursue its elevation to national heritage status after preservation treatment and a detailed investigation to verify its value.

The Myobeopyeonhwagyeong from Muryangsa Temple in Buyeo was published in 1493, and all seven volumes in three books have been fully preserved, making it highly complete. As an important historical material that offers insight into the publication of Buddhist scriptures and woodblock printing culture in the early Joseon Dynasty, it has been designated as a tangible cultural heritage of Chungcheongnam-do Province.

Going forward, the province plans to designate the Gakwon Temple Clay Seated Bodhisattva Statue in Cheonan, the Baekja Cheonghwa Ikihaji Stone Tablet, and the Ryu Myeong Cheongnanwonjong Gongsinnokgwon as cultural heritage assets.

A provincial official stated, "We hope for great interest so that valuable local cultural heritage, which has not yet been widely known, can be discovered and preserved."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.