Bulguk-dong

Bulguk-dong is an administrative dong (neighborhood) in the administrative subdivisions of the Gyeongju, South Korea. It consists of seven legal dong including Gujeong-dong, Sirae-dong, Si-dong, Joyang-dong, Jinhyeon-dong, Ma-dong and Ha-dong.^[1]

Bulguk-dong
Korean transcription(s)
• Hangul	불국동
• Hanja	佛國
• Revised Romanization	Bulguk-dong
• McCune–Reischauer	Pulkuk-tong
Bulguksa temple in Bulguk-dong
Country	South Korea
Region	Gyeongju
Government
• Type	Gyeongju City
Area
• Total	37.34 km2 (14.42 sq mi)
Population  (2008)[1]
• Total	8,893
• Density	240/km2 (620/sq mi)
Dialect	Gyeongsang dialect

It is bordered by Tohamsan on the east, Dodong-dong on the west, Oedong-eup on the south and Bodeok-dong on the north. Its 37.34 square kilometers are home to about 8,893 people. Bulguksa temple and Seokguram grotto are situated in the district.^[1]

Origin of the name

The name Bulguk originates from Bulguksa, a Buddhist temple that is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The term "Bulguk" translates to "Land of Buddha" and reflects the Buddhist concept of the Pure Land. It embodies a synthesis of key Buddhist philosophies, including those of the Pure Land (Jeongto), the Lotus Sutra (Beophwa), and the Avatamsaka (Hwaeom) schools.

See also

• Subdivisions of Gyeongju
• Administrative divisions of South Korea