Buildings in Temples

Bonjeon (Main Sanctuary Building) & Yeongdae (the Most Sacred Shrine)

This is the most sacred building of all at each temple complex as it houses ‘Yeongdae’ on its fourth and highest floor wherein the Supreme God, Kang Jeungsan and the other great deities comprising the fifteen holy positions have all been enshrined. In the case of Yeoju Headquarters Temple Complex, Yeongdae was moved from Bonggangjeon building to Bonjeon in December of 1990.
This divine system is comprised of fifteen holy positions that consist of four categories. The first category is the Principal Position (Wonwi) which includes the Supreme God of the Ninth Heaven (Kang Jeungsan), the Great Jade Emperor (Holy Founder Jo Jeongsan), and Shakyamuni Buddha.
The second category is the Second Position (Jaewi) which includes the Ten Judge Kings of the Postmortem Precincts (ten spiritual kings who judge human souls in the afterlife), the Five Mountain Kings (the five spiritual kings in charge of the mountains in five directions of Earth), the Four Ocean Dragon Kings (the four spiritual dragon kings in charge of the four seas), and the Terrestrial Kings of the Four Seasons (the four spiritual kings in charge of the four seasons).
The third category is the Third Position (Samwi) which includes the Sage-emperor and Martial Commander Lord Gwan Wu (Chinese General Guān Yǔ, the heavenly Sage-emperor who protects against evil spirits and demons), the Great Emperors of the Seven Stars (the seven spiritual kings who bestow human lifespans and fortune), Paternal Ancestors, and Maternal Ancestors.
The fourth category is the Fourth Position (Sawi) which includes Messengers of the Seven Stars (the messengers who aid the Great Emperors of the Seven Stars), Right-flanking Messengers (the messengers who aid Messengers of the Seven Stars), Left-flanking Messengers (the messengers who aid Messengers of the Seven Stars), and Messengers of the Postmortem Precincts (the psychopomps who guide newly arrived souls in the afterlife).
Bonjeon is the Main Sanctuary Building which is a four-story building, however, from the outside, it appears to be three stories tall. The fourth floor is Yeongdae, and the second and third floors also enshrine sacred iconographic paintings of Sangje. All of the various rituals and events such as Chiseong (Devotional Offering Ceremony), Gangsik (Ritual of Drawing in Heavenly Energy), and other key activities are conducted at this location.
The front garden of Bonjeon is called ‘Bonjeong,’ where we should show our utmost sincerity and respect to Sangje.