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Unheungsa Temple – 운흥사 (Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Unheungsa Temple is situated up a long valley between Mt. Bongamsan (434.6 m) and Mt. Baekamsan (403 m) to the far west of Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Unheungsa Temple was first constructed in 676 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). Little is known about the temple until it was used to raise an army of some 6,000 warrior monks during the Imjin War (1592-98) and led by Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610). A large portion of the temple was destroyed at this time. It wasn’t until 1651 that the temple was partially rebuilt. The current Daeung-jeon Hall and Yeongsan-jeon Hall were reconstructed in 1731. Additionally, there was a bronze bell at…
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Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Wonhyoam Hermitage, which is one among eight hermitages with the same name in Korea, is located in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do on the western slopes of Mt. Cheonseongsan (920.1 m), which means “A Thousand Saints Mountain” in English. In fact, the hermitage is situated at 900 metres above sea level. The hermitage is named after the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.), who lived and taught in the area. It’s said that Wonhyo-daesa first established Wonhyoam Hermitage in 646 A.D., which is also the very same year that neighbouring Tongdosa Temple was first established, as well. As to how Wonhyo-daesa first came to the region, there’s a rather interesting legend. According…
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Seochukam Hermitage – 서축암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Seochukam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,082.2 m). Seochukam Hermitage is one of nearly twenty hermitages on the Tongdosa Temple grounds; in fact, it’s just 150 metres away from neighbouring Jajangam Hermitage. The hermitage was first founded by the monk Wolha in 1996. In total, there are only a handful of buildings on the hermitage grounds. Hermitage Layout You first make your way up to the hermitage up a long, forested roadway, until you eventually come to the hermitage parking lot south of the walled-off grounds. To the right of the hermitage parking lot, you’ll…
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Deoksansa Temple (Naewonsa Temple) – 덕산사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Deoksansa Temple, which was formerly known as Naewonsa Temple, is located in the eastern part of Jirisan National Park in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Deoksansa Temple was first established in 657 A.D. purportedly by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The temple was later reconstructed by Muyeom-guksa (801-888 A.D.) during the ninth century. It was at this time that the temple was quite popular thanks in large part to Muyeom-guksa’s influence and reputation. It was at this time that the temple was originally known as Deoksansa Temple only to be changed to Naewonsa Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Naewonsa Temple means “Inner House Temple” in English. During the Confucian-oriented…
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Chilbulsa Temple – 칠불사 (Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Chilbulsa Temple is located in northern Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do in Jirisan National Park. Chilbulsa Temple, which means “Seven Buddhas Temple” in English, is a reference to the founding of the temple. According to this foundational legend, the seven sons of King Suro (42?-199 A.D.), who was the legendary founder of Geumgwan Gaya (43-532 A.D.), all attained enlightenment. According to this legend, the seven sons were guided by their uncle, Jangyu-seonsa, for two years until they all reached enlightenment. Rather interestingly, the monk Jangyu-seonsa, who instructed the seven princes, was also the brother to Queen Heo (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.), who was the wife of King Suro. Purportedly, this…
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Banyaam Hermitage – 반야암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Banyaam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in the foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,081 m) in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. Of the nearly twenty hermitages at Tongdosa Temple, Banyaam Hermitage is the newest. The hermitage was first established in 1999 by the monk Jian. As for the name of the hermitage, it’s a transliteration of the word “Prajna” in Sanskrit, which means either “wisdom” or “enlightenment” in English. So the hermitage literally means “Wisdom/Enlightenment Hermitage” in English. Additionally, Banyaam Hermitage is in close proximity to Geukrakam Hermitage and Biroam Hermitage on the Tongdosa Temple grounds. Hermitage Layout As you first make your way up to Banyaam Hermitage, you’ll…
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Suamsa Temple – 수암사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Suamsa Temple is located in western Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern foothills of Mt. Togoksan (855.3 m). Located up a long valley, Suamsa Temple is situated next to the beautiful Buleum-pokpo Falls. Purportedly, Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) first built the temple over a thousand years ago. About a hundred years ago, both Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise) and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) appeared in the dream of a local village elder. This elder decided to build a temple next to a waterfall below Mt. Togoksan. More recently, Suamsa Temple was rebuilt about fifty years ago replacing a hermitage that was formerly on the…
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Yeongsanjeongsa Temple – 영산정사 (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yeongsanjeongsa Temple, which is a reference to Vulture Peak, where the Buddha gave sermons like the Heart and Lotus Sutras, is located in western Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchwisan (738.8 m). Yeongsanjeongsa Temple was first built in 1997 on the former temple grounds of Samjeoksa Temple. Samjeoksa Temple was used as a training centre for the Righteous Army that fought against the invading Japanese during the Imjin War (1592-98) in 1592. Yeongsanjeongsa Temple was built to pray for peace in Korea. The temple is also home to a massive, golden Reclining Buddha statue that’s 120 metres in length and 21…
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Okryeonam Hermitage – 옥련암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Okryeonam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do to the south of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,081 m). It’s believed that the hermitage was first founded in 1374. However, there is very little known about the hermitage after it was initially constructed. Later, and in 1857, Okryeonam Hermitage was rebuilt by two monks, Hogok and Cheongjin. At this time, it was a small hermitage. Over time, it has grown. Additionally, and according to documents, the Geukrak-jeon Hall at Tongdosa Temple has a triad on the main altar. This triad was made at Okryeonam Hermitage in 1835. There’s a rather interesting legend connected to Okryeonam Hermitage. There…
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Seounam Hermitage – 서운암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Seounam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds to the south of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,081 m) in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. The hermitage was first constructed in 1326 during the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, since its initial construction, very little is known about Seounam Hermitage. The hermitage would later be re-constructed in 1859. Since then, Seounam Hermitage is one of the more popular hermitages on the Tongdosa Temple grounds. Hermitage Layout As you approach Seounam Hermitage, you’ll first pass by the hermitage parking lot, which is usually quite busy. To your immediate right, you’ll notice a two-story structure with an artificial pond out in front of it. The…