National Intangible Cultural Heritage Center: Jingwansa Temple Water and Land Ritual (National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 126)

The Suryukjae is a Buddhist ritual originating from the Indian Shiagwihoe (Assembly of Hungry Ghosts), which appears to have been introduced to Korea during the Goryeo Dynasty via China. Inviting all beings of the world without discrimination to widely save them, the Suryukjae is a ritual that effectively embodies the Buddhist philosophy of equality and compassion. The Jingwansa Suryukjae, performed at Jingwansa Temple on Bukhansan Mountain in Seoul, continues the lineage of the state-sponsored Suryukjae of the Joseon Dynasty. Although it was temporarily suspended during the Japanese colonial period and the Korean War, it was restored in the 1970s and has continued steadily ever since. Recognized for its value, it was designated as National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 126 in December 2013. The Jingwansa Suryukjae is a representative Buddhist ritual where splendid ornamentation, altar setting, ritual practices embodying the Buddha's teachings, and Buddhist chanting harmonize seamlessly. Furthermore, by practicing sharing and generosity with the general public through the Suryukjae, the spirit of the ritual—which sought to comfort the souls of the whole world and share in the pain of the community—is being carried on. The Jingwansa National Suryukjae Preservation Society conducts the Suryukjae every October. Preparations for the grandeur and altar setting begin several months in advance, and the ceremony finally reaches its conclusion in October after a long 49-day period spanning from the initiation to the sixth ritual. This book captures the process of how the Jingwansa Suryukjae is prepared and performed, spanning over a year of dedicated practice.

Korean title: 진관사 수륙재(국가무형문화재 제126호)

Korean author: 국립무형유산원

Korean publisher: 민속원

ISBN-13: 9788928510962