The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on August 4 that it has proposed the designation of three temple toilets, including the Suncheon Seonamsa Chikgan, the Yeongwol Bodeoksa Haewuso, and the Haeinsa Gukilam Haewuso, as national folk cultural heritage.
These three sites are traditional toilets that have clear construction dates and original forms, still in actual use today, showcasing the rarity and historical value of temple lifestyle culture. The term 'haewuso' was first used by Monk Gyeongbong of Tongdosa's Geunrakam after the Korean War, symbolizing the act of letting go of worries. It later became a common term for temple toilets.
The construction dates of the three haewuso are confirmed through inscriptions on the roof beams. The Bodeoksa haewuso was built in 1882, the Gukilam haewuso in 1910, and the Seonamsa Chikgan before the 1920s. All three have maintained their original locations and forms for over a century, underscoring their historical significance. Additionally, traditional haewuso are rapidly disappearing, making these proposed designations particularly valuable as they represent endangered cultural heritage.
The Cultural Heritage Administration stated, "This proposed designation is significant as it expands the scope of national heritage to include not only sacred spaces like temples and pagodas but also areas that reflect the lifestyle culture of the monastic community. We expect this will serve as a foundation for preserving lifestyle folk heritage closely tied to the lives of the people."
After a 30-day public comment period, the final decision on the designation as national folk cultural heritage will be made following a review by the National Heritage Committee.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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