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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Jung-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Jung-gu, Ulsan, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples with the exact same name in Korea, is located in central Ulsan in Taehwa Neighborhood Park. Gwaneumsa Temple is believed to have been established by the female devotee Nam-bosal during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Nam-bosal, after having a prophetic dream, decided to build the temple and name it Monghwa Temple. In 1927, the monk Seokgak also had a dream, one where he encountered Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). After having this dream, the monk decided to reconstruct the main hall of the temple and call the temple Gwaneumsa Temple. Later, and around…
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Dosolam Hermitage – 도솔암 (Buk-gu, Ulsan)
Hermitage History Dosolam Hermitage is located in Buk-gu, Ulsan in the western foothills of Mt. Muryongsan (450.6 m). Dosolam Hermitage is a branch hermitage of Tongdosa Temple. As for Mt. Muryongsan, and according to legend, nine dragons lived in a pond on the peak of the mountain. There, the dragons danced and played, which brought down rain. That’s why the mountain is known as Mt. Muryongsan, which means “Dancing Dragons Mountain” in English. Up until the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the site was the private residence of Yi Jong-jun of the Wolseong Yi clan. Two sisters, Kim Bok-seon and Kim Su-hwa, were living in Byeongyeong (present-day Byeongyeong-dong) in Ulsan, when…
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Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Wolbongsa Temple in Dong-gu, UIsan is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeomposan (203.4 m). It’s believed that the temple was first founded in 930 A.D. by the monk Seongdo-yulsa. According to a temple legend, Seongdo-yulsa recognized the future temple site as a special location. While walking along the Bangojin seashore, the monk looked up and noticed that the full moon, which should have been reflected in the sea, appeared to be hanging perfectly over a mountain instead. Seongdo-yulsa considered this to be an auspicious sign and place, so he made his way through the woods. When he arrived, he foresaw that a great temple would be…
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Dongchuksa Temple – 동축사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Dongchuksa Temple is located in eastern Ulsan in the southern foothills of Mt. Magolsan (297 m). Also, it’s from the heights of Dongchuksa Temple that you can get views of the East Sea off in the distance. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” or “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms” in English, and under the section on the “Sixteen Foot Buddha of Hwangnyongsa Temple,” Dongchuksa Temple appears in a round about way. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” Dongchuksa Temple was first founded in 573 A.D. under the orders of King Jinheung of Silla (r. 540–576 A.D.). “Dongchuksa” means “East Buddha Nation Temple” in English (more on this later). Dongchuksa Temple…
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Ganwolsa-ji Temple Site – 간월사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History The Ganwolsa-ji Temple Site is located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan in the eastern foothills of Mt. Ganwolsan (1,069.1 m) up a long valley. It’s believed that the original Ganwolsa Temple was first built by Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.) during the reign of Queen Jindeok of Silla (r. 647-654 A.D.). Later, the temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese during the Imjin War (1592-1598) in 1592. Ganwolsa Temple would eventually be rebuilt in 1634 during the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple would last until 1836, when it seems as though the temple was abandoned after a large crop failure in the area and subsequent famine according to the Eonyang-hyeon Hojeokdaejang,…
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Cheongsongsa-ji Temple Site – 청송사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History The Cheongsongsa-ji Temple Site is located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan between Mt. Munsusan (600.1 m) to the north and Mt. Namansan (544.3 m) to the south. Rather interestingly, the Cheongsongsa-ji Temple Site is also a current and active temple named Cheongsongsa Temple. Cheongsongsa Temple was first built during the reign of King Hyoso of Silla (r. 692-702 A.D.). At the time of its original construction, Cheongsongsa Temple was quite a large temple that was equivalent to the size of a small village where the temple is currently situated. It’s assumed that the temple was closed in the mid to late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The reason for this belief…
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Manghaesa-ji Temple Site – 망해사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History Manghaesa Temple is located in the western part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchwisan (352.1 m). It’s believed that the original temple, Manghaesa Temple (Sea-Viewing Temple), which also now acts as a former temple site in part, was first founded some time during the reign of King Heongang of Silla (r. 875-886 A.D.). The reason for this belief is that the temple appears in the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) in Book 2: “Wonder (Unified Silla),” Chapter 49: “The Song of Cheoyong and the Sea-Viewing Temple.” Originally, it seems, the temple was called Sinbangsa Temple. Unfortunately, there is no history…
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Gulamsa Temple – 굴암사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History Gulamsa Temple is located in the far western part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun on Mt. Hwajangsan (271.6 m). Purportedly, the temple was founded by the monk Dohwa-doin during the reign of King Soji of Silla (r. 479-500 A.D.). However, after its founding, very little is known about the temple. What is known is that it was rebuilt in 1966 by An Seok-beom of Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Currently, Gulamsa Temple belongs to the Taego-jong Order, which is the second largest Buddhist order in Korea. As for the founding of the temple, there’s an interesting little legend that goes along with it. According to this legend, King Soji…
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Sinheungsa Temple – 신흥사 (Buk-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Sinheungsa Temple is located in Buk-gu, Ulsan. The temple was first founded in 635 A.D. by the monk Myeongrang-beopsa. The temple was built in the hopes of peace. Originally, the temple was named Geonheungsa Temple. According to temple records, the temple helped train one hundred monks in 678 A.D. Sinheungsa Temple also played a part in the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple sent three hundred bags of rice and warrior monks that joined the Righteous Army in the defence of the Korean peninsula. Unfortunately, because of the role it played in defending Korea, Sinheungsa Temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese. The temple was later rebuilt in 1646…
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Sujeongsa Temple – 수정사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History Sujeongsa Temple is a modern temple that’s home to nuns. It’s located in the northwest part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun down a long valley. Sujeongsa Temple is also just some twenty minutes away from the famed Tongdosa Temple. Sujeongsa Temple is located in a very rural part of Korea; in fact, it almost feels like you fall off the edge of the map. But in the process of retreating from the sights and sounds of modern Korea, you find a beautiful Buddhist temple. Temple Layout You first approach Sujeongsa Temple up a narrow road down a long valley. After three kilometres, you’ll finally arrive at the Sujeongsa Temple…