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Daegaksa Temple – 대각사 (Jung-gu, Busan)
Temple History Daegaksa Temple in Jung-gu, Busan is a Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45) temple. The temple was one of the first Japanese Buddhist temples to be constructed after the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876, which opened the Busan Port to international trade. Initially, the temple was known as the Dongbonwonsa Busan Branch. The Dongbonwonsa Busan Branch was first founded on November 5th, 1877. The temple was affiliated with the Otani-ha of the Honganji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. After the opening of the Busan Port, the Otani-ha began missionary work upon the request of the Japanese government. So in 1877, Okumura Enshin was sent to Korea. Okumura Enshin, it should be noted,…
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Geumyongam Hermitage – 금용암 (Yeonje-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Geumyongam Hermitage is located in the very southern foothills of Mt. Soemisan (399 m) in Yeonje-gu, Busan. The name of Geumyongam Hermitage is said to originate from Mt. Geumyongsan, which is an alternative name for Mt. Soemisan. Geumyongam Hermitage means “Golden Lotus Hermitage” in English. The reason for this is that lotus flowers bloom around the hermitage grounds during the midsummer months. Within Buddhism, the golden lotus flower is meant to symbolize purity and enlightenment; and hence, why the hermitage is called Geumyongam Hermitage. As for the age of the hermitage, it dates back to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when the Buddhist laywoman, Lee Indeokhaeng, who was…
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Wolmyeongsa Temple – 월명사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Wolmyeongsa Temple is located in Gijang-gun, Busan in the eastern foothills of Mt. Ilgwangsan (385.3 m). According to legend, Wolmyeongsa Temple has been a place where people have worshipped since ancient times. However, there is no tangible proof to support this claim. The current Wolmyeongsa Temple was founded by Kim Beop-seong, who was a monk at Beomeosa Temple, in 1882. The temple was renovated in 1956. And ten years later, in 1966, the temple was rebuilt in its current form. Since 2011, Wolmyeongsa Temple has belonged to the Taego-jong Buddhist Order. The temple is one of 982 tradition temples in Korea. Temple Legend The “Legend of Wolmyeongsa Temple”…
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Gukcheongsa Temple – 국청사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gukcheongsa Temple is located in the southern portion of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Gukcheongsa Temple is also just south of the Geumgjeongsan-seong Fortress southern walls. Gukcheongsa Temple was first built by Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). Little is known about the temple’s history until the Imjin War (1592-98), when the temple was used as a strategic military command post by the Righteous Army against Japanese invading forces. In 1703, the Geumjeongsan-seong Fortress was repaired; and with it, Gukcheongsa Temple was rebuilt, as well. More recently, the temple has undergone a lot of construction. In 1978, the Samseong-gak Hall…
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Gayasa Temple – 가야사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gayasa Temple is located in Busanjin-gu, Busan along the northern portion of Mt. Palgeumsan (236 m). In fact, the temple is located near downtown central Seomyeon; and with the right angle, you can get some great views of Seomyeon off in the distance. Gayasa Temple is a branch temple of Beomeosa Temple, and it belongs to the Jogye-jong Order, which is the largest Buddhist Order in Korea. The temple doesn’t have the longest of histories, especially when you compare it to a temple like Beomeosa Temple, which was first founded in 678 A.D. However, Gayasa Temple is over one hundred years of age. Temple Layout You first approach…
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Borimsa Temple – 보림사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Borimsa Temple is located in western Gijang-gun, Busan to the east of Mt. Jangnyeonsan (240.2 m). And in front of the temple grounds is where three rivers meet. Purportedly the mountains that surround Borimsa Temple are shaped like lotus flowers, while the mountain where Borimsa Temple is located looks like a turtle looking for water. In 1986, while monks at Haeinsa Temple were looking for a place to study, they found a site where three streams met and the mountain behind was shaped like a lotus flower. So not long after, they built Borimsa Temple. Thus, Borimsa Temple is a modern temple that belongs to the Jogye-jong Buddhist…
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Cheongnyangsa Temple – 청량사 (Gangseo-gu, Busan)
Temple History Cheongnyangsa Temple is located south of the Gimhae International Airport near the Nakdong River in Gangseo-gu, Busan. Purportedly, Cheongnyangsa Temple is located in one of the best locations in Korea for pungsu-jiri (geomancy, feng shui). Originally, the temple was nothing more than a village shrine dedicated to the village guardian, Dangsan (Village Guardian Spirit). Also, Cheongnyangsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Floods and landslides in 1864 and 1865 helped form the area where Cheongnyangsa Temple is currently located. More specifically, it’s said that when a natural disaster strikes Myeongji-dong, which is where the temple is located, people can hear the sound of…
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Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Wolbongsa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Busan to the south of Mt. Gubongsan (404.5 m). Additionally, Wolbongsa Temple is scenically located with the Port of Busan and the Namhang Bridge off in the distance. It’s unclear when Wolbongsa Temple was first constructed. Temple Layout You first arrive at Wolbongsa Temple through a network of old Busan houses. When you finally do arrive at the temple, you’ll notice that Wolbongsa Temple is beautifully perched atop a compact temple courtyard that overlooks the Port of Busan. In fact, if you look close enough, you’ll notice the Namhang Bridge off in the distance, as well. Stepping into the temple courtyard, the…
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Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Wonhyoam Hermitage is located to the south of Beomeosa Temple and to the east of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. It’s believed that Wonhyoam Hermitage was first established by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). After the hermitage’s founding, its history is unknown until it was rebuilt during the late Joseon Dynasty (1393-1910) like other hermitages located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds. Wonhyoam Hermitage was later re-opened in June, 1906. Wonhyoam Hermitage is home to five Busan Tangible Cultural Properties. They include the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda on the Western Side of Wonhyoam Hermitage,” which is Busan Tangible Cultural Property #11; the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda…
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Myogwaneumsa Temple – 묘관음사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Myogwaneumsa Temple is located just to the east of Mt. Daleumsan (588 m) and hugging the coastline of the East Sea in Gijang-gun, Busan. Myogwaneumsa Temple follows in the Buddhist tradition of Taego Bou (1301-1383). Myogwaneumsa Temple was founded in 1943 by the monk Unbong-seonsa, and it established itself as a training centre. Unbong-seonsa was a disciple of the famed monk Gyeongheo (1849–1912), and it was built to help sustain the Korean Buddhist tradition during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Myogwaneumsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Korean Buddhist temples. In total, Myogwaneumsa Temple is home to two Busan Treasures. They are the “Myogwaneumsa Temple Horse Hair Whisk”…