How were early Goguryeo Buddhist temple sites arranged around a central pagoda?

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Pagoda of Jeongrimsa Temple in Buyeo, South Korea — Korean architecture Five-story stone pagoda of Jeongrimsa Temple, first half of the 7th century, Baekje period; in Buyeo, South Korea. Height 8.33 meters (27.3 feet).

In early Goguryeo Buddhist temple architecture, the site was typically arranged with a single, central octagonal wooden pagoda as the focal point. This central structure was surrounded by three Buddha chapels, which were positioned on the north, east, and west sides of the pagoda.1

This "one pagoda, three halls" configuration is considered the earliest Buddhist temple plan used in the region. This specific layout was not unique to Goguryeo; it was also adopted by the Paekche kingdom and can be observed at the site of the Asuka-dera temple in Japan.1