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Bomunsa Temple – 보문사 (Ganghwa, Incheon)
Temple History Bomunsa Temple is located on Seongmo-do Island to the west of Ganghwa-do Island. However, while Bomunsa Temple is located on Seongmo-do Island, it’s apart of Ganghwa County in Incheon. The temple is located to the south of Mt. Nakgasan (235 m). Mt. Nakgasan is a transliteration of Mt. Potalaka, which is the mythical dwelling of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). As for Bomunsa Temple, it means “Universal Gate Temple” in English. Bomunsa Temple was first founded in 635 A.D. by the monk Hoejeong-daesa. In 649 A.D., twenty-two images of Buddhas and Nahan (Historical Disciples of the Buddha) were enshrined inside the Nahan-jeon cave shrine hall. Little is known…
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Jeondeungsa Temple – 전등사 (Ganghwa, Incheon)
Temple History Jeondeungsa Temple, which means “Transmitting (Dharma) Light Temple” in English, is thought to be the oldest extant Buddhist temple in Korea. It’s located in Ganghwa-do Island in Incheon. It was first built in 381 A.D. by the monk Ado-hwasang. The monk Ado-hwasang arrived on Ganghwa-do Island from Jin Dynasty (266–420 A.D.) to spread Buddhism to the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). While Ado-hwasang was staying on Ganghwa-do Island, he built a temple on the future Jeondeungsa Temple site. This temple was originally known as Jinjongsa Temple. However, very little is known about the history of the temple until the mid-Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). It’s not until 1259…