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Jangnaksa Temple – 장락사 (Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Jangnaksa Temple is located in the eastern part of Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do in the western foothills of Mt. Wangbaksan (597.5 m). Jangnaksa Temple was first built during the Three Kingdoms of Korea Period (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). In total, Jangnaksa Temple was rebuilt a total of five times, and it was a prosperous temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The temple remained as a fully functioning temple until the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple would eventually fall into disrepair in the 17th century. For the longest time, all that remained of the temple was the “Seven-Story Stone Brick Pagoda in Jangnak-dong,” which is Korean Treasure #459. It isn’t…
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Seven-Story Stone Brick Pagoda in Jangnak-dong – 제천 장락동 칠층모전석탑 (Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Pagoda History The “Seven-Story Stone Brick Pagoda in Jangnak-dong” is located in eastern Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. And at one point, it belonged to the former Jangnaksa Temple. Now all that remains of the former temple is this beautiful brick pagoda. Jangnaksa Temple was first built during the Three Kingdoms of Korea Period (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). In total, Jangnaksa Temple was rebuilt a total of five times, and it was a prosperous temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The temple remained as a fully functioning temple until the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple would eventually fall into disrepair in the 17th century. An excavation was conducted on the Jangnaksa-ji Temple…
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Deokjusa Temple – 덕주사 (Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Deokjusa Temple is located in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Woraksan (1,095.3 m) up a long valley. According to legend, Deokjusa Temple was first built in 587 A.D. Additionally, and also according to this legend, Princess Deokju, who was a Silla princess, and one of the children of King Gyeongsun of Silla (r. 927-935 A.D.), built the temple. King Gyeongsun of Silla was the final ruler of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). King Gyeongsun of Silla was placed on the thrown by Gyeon Hwon (892-934 A.D.), who was the founder of Later Baekje (892–936). When Gyeon Hwon’s army sacked Gyeongju in 927…
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Baekunam Hermitage – 백운암 (Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Baekunam Hermitage, which means “White Cloud Hermitage” in English, is located in northern Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do in the foothills of Mt. Bilmisan (352.2 m). In fact, the location of the hermitage is rather remote, and it’s situated with mountains to the west and agricultural fields to the east. It’s believed that Baekunam Hermitage was first founded in 1886 by a female shaman named Yun, who was also known as Lord of Jillyeong by the government of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In fact, Yun was known as a royal shaman. There’s a rather interesting hermitage legend connecting shamans and the royal court. In 1882, Queen Min (1851-1895), who was also…
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Gosansa Temple – 고산사 (Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Gosansa Temple in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the number of temples throughout Korea with the same name, is located to the north of Mt. Darangsan (591.2 m). It’s believed by some that Gosansa Temple was first built in 879 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (827-898 A.D.). However, there’s not a lot of concrete information to support this claim. Another claim, at least according to the “Gosansa Jungsugi,” which was written in 1920, states that Gosansa Temple was rebuilt in 1096 by Hyeso-guksa. However, and through archaelogical work conducted at the temple, tiles, earthenware, and porcelain pieces were collected. It was discovered that this collection…
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Danhosa Temple – 단호사 (Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Danhosa Temple is located in the southeastern part of the city of Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do near agricultural fields and an elementary school. The exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown; however, it was repaired during the reign of King Sukjong of Joseon (r. 1674-1720) during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). At that time, it was known as Yaksa Temple, after the Buddha of Medicine, Yaksayeorae-bul. Eventually, the temple would come to be known as Danhosa Temple in 1954. Additionally, Danhosa Temple belongs to the Taego-jong Order, which is the second largest Buddhist Order in Korea next to the Jogye-jong Order. Danhosa Temple is home to a single Korean Treasure,…
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Seokjongsa Temple – 석종사 (Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Seokjongsa Temple is located in the southeastern part of Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Namsan (635.5 m). Originally the land that Seokjongsa Temple now occupies was Jukjangsa Temple. Jukjangsa Temple was first established sometime between Unified Silla (668-935) to early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Until the end of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Jukjangsa Temple was a popular temple. At the end of the Joseon Dynasty, and already with centuries of anti-Buddhist policies in place by successive Joseon governments and courts, the status of the temple (like all temples in Korea) had been severely weakened. So Reverend Jo Gyeongro of Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do arrived at the temple during…
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Four Lion Nine-Story Stone Pagoda at Sajabinsinsa Temple Site – 자빈신사지 사사자 구층석탑 (Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Pagoda History The “Four Lion Nine-Story Stone Pagoda at Sajabinsinsa Temple Site” is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Malmoesan (688.6 m) and along Dongsan Valley near a river in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. According to the inscription on the base, the pagoda was first erected in 1022 in the early part of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Additionally, the pagoda is located on the former Binsinsa-ji Temple Site. The pagoda was originally built to help prevent another invasion by the Khitan. In total, there had already been three invasions that took place in 993 A.D., 1010, and 1018-1019 during the Goryeo–Khitan War. So it’s rather obvious why Goryeo would do anything…
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Yeojeokam Hermitage – 여적암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Yeojeokam Hermitage is located in the southern part of Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk. The hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated wtih the famed Beopjusa Temple. The hermitage was founded in 1694 by the monk Yeojeok, who was also known as Gyeongsu. However, based upon the “Multi-Story Stone Pagoda at Yeojeokam Hermitage,” which dates back to some time during either late Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) or the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the hermitage is probably much older. There’s a rather interesting legend connected to the hermitage and the monk Yeojeok. Purportedly, the hermitage was the richest on the mountain; however, the previous abbots of the hermitage…
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Talgolam Hermitage – 탈골암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Talgolam Hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated with the famed Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. There are two stories as to how Talgolam Hermitage was first built. The first story is related to the monk Jinpyo-yulsa (fl. 8th century). Purportedly, Jinpyo called his disciples to him at Talgolam Hermitage. Here, he taught them how to escape Samsara (the endless cycle of rebirth). The second story is related to the time of King Talhae of Silla (57 – 80 A.D.), when the founder of the Gyeongju Kim Clan, Gim Alji (65 – ?), was lamenting his appearance. Hearing that there was good mineral…