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Daewonsa Temple – 대원사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Daewonsa Temple in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the numerous other temples in Korea with the same name, is located in the northeastern part of Jirisan National Park. Daewonsa Temple was first founded in 548 A.D. by Yeongi-josa, who also founded Hwaeomsa Temple in 544 A.D. and Yeongoksa Temple in 543 A.D. It’s believed that Yeongi-josa was from India. Originally, the temple was called Pyeongwonsa Temple. Then during the mid-600s, Jajang-yulsa (590-685 A.D.) purportedly built the Multi-Story Stone Pagoda of Daewonsa Temple. For the next 1,000 years, the temple ceased to exist. Eventually, the temple was rebuilt only to be destroyed in 1592 by the invading…
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Jeongchwiam Hermitage – 정취암 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Jeongchwiam Hermitage is located in eastern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the foothills of Mt. Daeseongsan. Additionally, the hermitage is located within the northern boundaries of Jirisan National Park. The hermitage was first founded in 686 A.D. by Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). According to a hermitage legend, during the 6th year of King Sinmun of Silla’s reign, which lasted from 681 to 692 A.D., Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) rose from the East Sea and shone two streams of light onto the Korean Peninsula. One of these beams of light shone on Mt. Geumgangsan (present-day North Korea) and the other beam of light shone on Mt. Daeseongsan. According to…
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Yongmunsa Temple – 용문사 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yongmunsa Temple, which is located in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, means “Dragon Gate Temple” in English. Yongmunsa Temple was first constructed in a round about way by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) in 663 A.D. Originally, when Wonhyo-daesa built the temple, it was called Bogwangsa Temple on Mt. Geumsan. The temple was later moved to its current location on Mt. Hogusan. It was at this time that the temple changed its name to Yongmunsa Temple. Yongmunsa Temple would eventually be completely destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Yongmunsa Temple would be rebuilt in 1666, when the Daeung-jeon Hall was built by the monk Baekwol. During the reign of King…
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Colonial Korea – Haeinsa Temple
Temple History Haeinsa Temple, which is located in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, means “Ocean Seal Temple” in English. The name of the temple is in reference to the “Ocean Seal” samadhi (meditative consciousness) from the Avatamsaka Sutra, or “Flower Garland Sutra” in English, or “Hwaeom-gyeong” in Korean. The reason for this reference is the idea that the mind is like the surface of a perfectly calm sea. And it’s from this that the true image of our existence is clearly reflected and everything appears as it is. Alongside Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do and Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, Haeinsa Temple forms the Three Jewel Temples (삼보사찰, or “Sambosachal” in English). Tongdosa Temple represents the Buddha, Songgwangsa Temple represents the Sangha, and Haeinsa Temple represents…
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Colonial Korea – Tongdosa Temple
Temple History Tongdosa Temple, which is located in northern Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the largest temple in all of Korea with nineteen hermitages spread throughout its vast grounds. Tongdosa Temple means “Passing Through to Enlightenment Temple” in English. Tongdosa Temple was first founded in 646 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.). According to the “Tongdosa-sarigasa-sajeok-yannok,” the temple site was originally a large pond, but it was covered over by landfill so as to allow for Tongdosa Temple to be built. Also, and according to the “Tongdosa-yakji,” the name of Mt. Yeongchuksan, which is where Tongdosa Temple is located, was named after the mountain in India where the Historical Buddha (Seokgamoni-bul) gave his…
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Yongjusa Temple – 용주사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yongjusa Temple is located on the west side of Mt. Cheonseongsan (920.1 m) in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. Yongjusa Temple is a modern temple being completed in June, 1972. The temple was named Yongjusa Temple after the founder of the temple had a dream where a dragon flew up into the sky holding a wisdom pearl in its mouth as it flew. In 1983, after the death of the founder of the temple, the monk Jijin took over the position of head of the temple at this time. In 2009, with the passing of Jijin, the monk Seongnam took over the position of head monk at the temple. From this…
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Eunhasa Temple – 은하사 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Eunhasa Temple, which means “Silver Water Temple” in English, is located in the foothills of Mt. Sineonsan (630.7 m), or “Fish Deity Mountain” in English in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. And the reason that Eunhasa Temple has this name is that Mt. Sineonsan used to be called Mt. Eunhasan. According to a legend, Eunhasa Temple dates back to the reign of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (?-199 A.D.), when it was built by the monk (and brother to Queen Heo), Jangyu-hwasang. What is more likely, and based upon earthenware found on the temple grounds, is that the temple dates back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (18 B.C. – 660…
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Dasolsa Temple – 다솔사 (Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Dasolsa Temple is located to the east of Mt. Bongmyeongsan (407.1 m) in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Dasolsa Temple was first constructed in 503 A.D. by the Indian monk Yeongi, who also founded Hwaeomsa Temple in 544 A.D. Originally, the temple was called Yeongaksa Temple. The temple would change its name to Dasolsa Temple in 636 A.D. Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) would then change the temple’s name to Yeongbongsa Temple in 676 A.D. Over a hundred years later, the temple would change its name, once more, during the reign of King Gyeongmun of Silla (r. 861-875 A.D.) by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.). The temple was repaired in 1326 to…
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Samseonggung – 삼성궁 (Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Shrine History Samseonggung, which means “Three Sages Palace” in English, is located up a 28 km long valley in Cheonghak-dong (Azure Crane Village) in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do. The Taoist shrine was first built in 1983 for the three mythical founders of Korea: Hwanin (King of Heaven, Jeseok), Hwanung (Hwanin’s son), and Dangun (a half-human and half-divine being and the son of Hwanung). The leader and founder of the organization and shrine is Hanpul, who claims that his family based Taoist lineage that occupies this specific part of Mt. Jirisan stretches back 400 years. According to Prof. David Mason, Hanpul is a Taoist priest and martial arts teacher, who is called by…
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Geumwangsa Temple – 금왕사 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple Layout Geumwangsa Temple is a modern temple with not much of a history in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. Geumwangsa Temple is located to the north of Mt. Geumsan (704.9 m) at the entry of the valley that leads up to Boriam Herimtage. The temple also enjoys a beautiful view of the sea off in the distance to the west. And the ascent towards the temple grounds is rather steep; but when you finally do arrive, you’ll be welcomed by the fan-like folds of the mountain where Geumwangsa Temple is precariously placed. After climbing a steep set of stairs, you’ll be looking towards the modern Daeung-jeon Hall, which also acts as the…