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Borimsa Temple – 보림사 (Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Borimsa Temple is located in central Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do. Borimsa Temple was first founded in 1912 by the monk Kim Dong-un, who was the abbot of Byeoksongsa Temple. This was following the wishes of the monk Yongseong-seonsa (1864-1940). The temple was first founded in a private house as a missionary centre. The original name of the temple is unknown. In 1929, six local temples that included Borimsa Temple, Yeongwonsa Temple, Beophwasa Temple, Silsangsa Temple, Yongchusa Temple and Byeoksongsa Temple banded together to found and operate a kindergarten as part of their missionary efforts. In 1970, the monk Jo Yeongsan took charge and renamed the temple Borimsa Temple. In 1971,…
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Beophwasa Temple – 법화사 (Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Beophwasa Temple is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (681.3 m) in southern Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Purportedly, Beophwasa Temple was first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). However, the oldest surviving artifact on the temple grounds is the “Multi-Story Stone Pagoda of Beophwasa Temple, Changnyeong,” which dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Originally, Beophwasa Temple was one of nine hermitages directly associated with Borimsa Temple, which was once a large temple below the current Beophwasa Temple. Borimsa Temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-98). However, very little of Borimsa Temple exists today outside of some stone artifacts. Beophwasa Temple is mentioned…
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Undaeam Hermitage – 운대암 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Undaeam Hermitage is located to the north of Mt. Daebangsan (469.8 m) in northeastern Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do near the Okcheon-suwonji Reservoir. Undaeam Hermitage was originally founded as Mangyeongam Hermitage during the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Over time, it gained renown for its ability to grant wishes, where people believed that prayers offered in the morning would be answered by the evening. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the hermitage was renamed Undaeam Hermitage. For some time during the early Joseon Dynasty, Undaeam Hermitage was left abandoned after the abbot of the temple died after a fall. It wasn’t until the Imjin War (1592-98) that the temple was relocated to its…
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Baekryeonam Hermitage – 백련암 (Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baekryeonam Hermitage is located on the eastern slopes of Mt. Jigulsan (896.9 m) in northwestern Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Baekryeonam Hermitage, which means “White Lotus Hermitage” in English, is said to have first been founded in 1317. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), it’s said that Gwak Jae-u (1552–1617), who was known as the “Red Robe General” and a military general in charge of part of the Righteous Army during the Imjin War (1592-98), studied at Baekryeonam Hermitage at the age of 16. Very little is known about the hermitage until 1893, when the monk Juseon rebuilt the hermitage. In more recent years, the hermitage has undergone numerous renovations including the…
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Doseongam Hermitage – 도성암 (Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Doseongam Hermitage is located west of Mt. Hwawangsan (757.7 m) in eastern Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s believed that Doseongam Hermitage was first founded by the Silla monk Jiwol-seonsa in 810 A.D. However, the exact details surrounding the creation of Doseongam Hermitage are unclear, and very little is known about its history after its construction. During the Imjin War (1592-98), Doseongam Hermitage was completely destroyed by fire. After, all that remained of the hermitage was the site. Later, Doseongam Hermitage was rebuilt to counter the belief that an existing hermitage in Jaha-gol Valley of Mt. Hwawangsan was located in a geomantically (pungsu-jiri) inauspicious location, which caused disasters for those residents…
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Baekunam Hermitage – 백운암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baekunam Hermitage, which means “White Cloud Hermitage” in English, is located in northern Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do on the northern slopes of Mt. Mucheoksan (702.1). As for the name Mt. Mucheoksan, “Mu” means “without,” while “cheok” means “one” or a “single unit.” So Mt. Mucheoksan means “Without Equal/Peerless Mountain” in English. The name of the mountain is meant to symbolize its unmatched beauty and/or prominence. Another interpretation of the mountain’s name is believed to be connected to the Buddhist term “muchak,” which means “non-attachment.” A little further up Mt. Mucheoksan, and beyond Baekunam Hermitage to the west, and you’ll come to a large lake known as Cheon-ji, which is “Heavenly…
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Eungseoksa Temple – 응석사 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Eungseoksa Temple is located in northern Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do to the south of Mt. Jibhyeonsan (578.1 m). Eungseoksa Temple was first established in 554 A.D. According to historical records, and in 662 A.D., the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) is said to have held a lecture at the temple. However, since Uisang-daesa was studying in Tang China (618–690, 705–907 A.D.) at this time, it’s unlikely that he was also giving a lecture at Eungseoksa Temple, as well. In the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), such monks as Jigong (1289–1363 A.D.), Naong Hyegeun (1320–1376), and Muhak (1327–1405) are recorded to have stayed at Eungseoksa Temple. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), monks…
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Byeoksongsa Temple – 벽송사 (Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Byeoksongsa Temple is located in southern Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern portion of Jirisan National Park. The name of the temple means “Green Pines Temple” in English. It’s believed that the temple was first founded during the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple was constructed under the guidance of the monk Byeoksong-jieom-daesa (1464-1534). And it’s from this monk that the temple gets its name. Byeoksongsa Temple became known for its ties to Seon Buddhism. During the Joseon Dynasty, Byeoksongsa Temple became a centre for the study of Seon Buddhism. Many notable monks practiced at Byeoksongsa Temple including Seosan-daesa (1520 – 1604). Of the monks that practiced at Byeoksongsa…
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Yeonhosa Temple – 연호사 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yeonhosa Temple is located along the Hwanggang River in southern Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple was first built in 643 A.D. by the monk Wau-seonsa, who built the temple to pacify the spirits of King Muyeol of Silla’s son-in-law Kim Pum-seok (?-642 A.D.), his wife, their children, and thousands of Silla soldiers. Kim and his soldiers died during the Battle of Daeyaseong Fortress (642 A.D.), which was part of a much larger engagement between the forces of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) and the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), which was known as the Battle of the Great Wilderness (642 A.D.). In total, two…
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Moeunam Hermitage – 모은암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Moeunam Hermitage is located on the western slopes of Mt. Mucheoksan (702.5 m) in northern Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple’s founding is linked to two legends. One legend suggests that King Geodeung of Geumgwan Gaya, who was the second king of Geumgwan Gaya (43–532 A.D.), built Moeunam Hermitage to honour his mother, Queen Heo Hwang-ok (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.). The other foundational legend, which is found in the “Sungseonjeonji,” claims that King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (? – 199 A.D.), who was the founding king of Geumgwan Gaya, established the temple as a memorial temple to pay tribute to his mother. Of the two, however, it would seem…