Munmyo

Munmyo
문묘,
Daeseongjeon in Munmyo
Religion
AffiliationConfucianism
Location
Location53 Myeongnyun-dong 3(sam)-ga, Jongno District, Seoul
Architecture
TypeTemple, Hall
Date established1398

Munmyo (more specifically Seoul Munmyo or Seonggyungwan Munmyo) is Korea's primary temple of Confucius ("munmyo" is also the general Korean term for a temple of Confucius). It is located in central Seoul, South Korea, on the campus of Sungkyunkwan University.

Munmyo houses a shrine to Confucius known as Daeseongjeon, or "Hall of Great Achievement." The main gate leading to the shrine Sinsammun, literally "Spirit Three Gate", is open only on special occasions such as Seokjeon Daeje. The central gate is reserved for the spirit of Confucius and his disciple, and no one else may enter through this gate. Past this gate is the central path that leads to Daeseongjeon, and visitors may not cross this path, especially during a ceremony when the gates are open.[1] The courtyard is used for the Seokjeon Daeje ceremony. Munmyo also contains two other halls (Dongmu and Seomu, east and west hall), two dormitories (Dongjae and Seojae, east and west dormitories), a Confucian lecture hall called Myeongnyundang, a library called Cheonggyeongdang, and Jinsasikdang which is the dining hall.[2][3]

  1. ^ "Confucian ceremony at Seonggyungwan Munmyo". Korea.net. March 24, 2015.
  2. ^ An Byung-ju. "Sunggyun-gwan, Sanctuary of Confucianism in Korea". Korana.
  3. ^ "Munmyo Shrine". Parandeul.