The three great temples of Korean Buddhism, Tongdosa, Haeinsa, and Songgwangsa, respectively symbolize Bulbo, Beopbo, and Seungbo, representing the fundamental principles of Buddhist faith.
Tongdosa enshrines the Buddha's true relics, Haeinsa houses the Tripitaka Koreana (Goryeo Daejanggyeong), and Songgwangsa is home to the remains of national preceptors who served as the spiritual pillars of Korean Buddhism.
These Sambo Sacchal are symbolic spaces that exemplify the core values of Buddhist faith and hold significant importance in understanding the history and tradition of Korean Buddhism.
Just as Samgwiui (三歸依) serves as a guide for all Sabeudaejung, these three treasures are the most fundamental objects of faith in Buddhism. In Korea, Tongdosa (通度寺), Haeinsa (海印寺), and Songgwangsa (松廣寺) are considered Sambo Sachal (三寶寺刹), and these three temples are also known as the Three Great Temples.
Yangsan Tongdosa, one of the Odaejukmyeolbogung (五台寂滅寶宮), houses the true relics symbolizing the Buddha's Law Body (法身), and is thus considered a Bulbo Sachal (佛寶寺刹). In the mid-7th century, during the Silla dynasty, the great Buddhist monk Jajang (慈藏: 590–658) received a revelation from Manjusri Bodhisattva while in Tang China. He brought back Buddhist relics and a Buddha's kasaya (robe). The relics were divided into three parts, with one each placed at Hwangryongsa and Ulsan Taehwasa (泰和寺), and the rest were enshrined in the newly built Tongdosa, along with the kasaya, in the Geumgang Gyeodan (金剛戒壇) (National Treasure No. 290). This established Tongdosa as the Bulbo Jongchal (佛寶宗刹). The main hall, Daeungjeon, does not have a separate Buddha statue, but only a Buddha altar. The location of the altar is such that when facing the front of the hall, the Bogung (寶宮) containing the relics is directly visible.
Hapcheon Haeinsa is where the Goryeo Daejanggyeong (高麗大藏經) (National Treasure No. 32), a compilation of the Buddha's teachings, is enshrined, and it is therefore called Beopbo Sachal (法寶寺刹). The Haeinsa Janggyeongpanjeon (海印寺藏經板殿) (National Treasure No. 52), where the Goryeo Daejanggyeong is stored, is the most important building in the temple.
Seungju Songgwangsa is the root temple of the Jeong Hwe Gyeolsa (定慧結社), a movement established by the great Goryeo-era Buddhist monk, Bojo Guksi (普照國師) Jinul (知訥), to rectify the then-decadent state of Korean Buddhism and establish a new tradition for Korean Buddhism. Afterward, following Jinul, 16 national preceptors were produced up until the early Joseon Dynasty, and as a result, it was called Seungbo Sachal (僧寶寺刹). The portraits of these national preceptors are enshrined in the Songgwangsa Guksijeon (松廣寺國師殿) (National Treasure No. 56). Since the late Joseon Dynasty, it has played a pivotal role in maintaining the lineage of traditional Korean Buddhism, having produced Buddhist masters such as Buhyu Seonsu (浮休善修), Hyobong (曉峰), and Gusan (九山). Source: https://myear.tistory.com/502 [Tina's Story: Tistory]