Treasures from the Baekje Kingdom at the Iksan National Museum in Iksan, South Korea

Treasures from the Baekje Kingdom at the Iksan National Museum in Iksan, South Korea.
A new museum in South Korea opened its doors this month, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the Buddhist history of the ancient Baekje kingdom, which flourished from 18 BCE–660 CE, and an opportunity to view an impressive collection of key artifacts from the Korea’s long and profound relationship with Buddhism. Iksan National Museum, which stands within the grounds of the ancient Mireuksa temple complex in southern North Jeolla Province, houses a collection of more than 23,000 Buddhist relics unearthed from around Mireuksa and dated to the Baekje kingdom, many of which are now on public display for the first time. Mireuksa was founded late in the reign of King Mu (r. 600–641), the 30th king of Baekje, and is now considered an example of the most advanced architectural skills of the Three Kingdoms of Korea—Baekje, Goguryeo (later Goryeo), and Silla.



Images: Great Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje, National Treasure of Republic of Korea No. 287 courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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