Daegu

Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Jung-gu, Daegu)

Gwaneumsa Temple in Jung-gu, Daegu.

Temple History

Gwaneumsa Temple is located in central Daegu in Jung-gu. Gwaneumsa Temple is one of only four temples still in existence in Korea that was built by the Japanese during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Other Japanese-style temples include the former Seogyeongsa Temple in Gyeongju, Dongguksa Temple in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, and the former Dongbongwonsa Temple in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. Gwaneumsa Temple was first founded in 1916 by a Japanese monk. The temple was built by the Oriental Development Company for the Japanese residents of Daegu that included government officials. Originally, the temple was known as Seonnimsa Temple.

After Korea’s liberation from Japan in 1945, the temple was classified as “jeoksan,” or “enemy property” in English. The temple would be sold to six female devotees at this time. It would go through several owners. During the 1960s, there were calls by locals to have the former Japanese temple demolished. However, in 1968, a monk from Donghwasa Temple, monk Wonmyeong, became the head monk at Seonnimsa Temple. It was also at this time that the name of the temple changed to that of its current name of Gwaneumsa Temple. Gwaneumsa Temple is named after the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal.

The monk Wonmyeong is quoted as saying, “We cannot ask for donations to tear down and rebuild a perfectly good temple.” As a result, only the name of the temple changed, while the buildings at Gwaneumsa Temple stayed intact. And it’s these original buildings that remain preserved to the present day. Gwaneumsa Temple would also become a Jogye-jong Buddhist Order temple in 1968, as well.

Since 1968, Gwaneumsa Temple has undergone several renovations including the expansion of the monks’ dorms and the interior of the main hall, the Museol-jeon Hall. The traditional Japanese tatami flooring was replaced by linoleum flooring. Also, the windows were restructured and a side entrance was built on the southeastern portion of the main hall.

In 2022, the “Gwaneumsa Free Meal Service” was established to provide meals to the homeless in the area. This program involves around 150 volunteers who offer free meals three times a week in Daegu. Rather surprisingly, and unlike the three other Japanese Buddhist temples still in existence in Korea, Gwaneumsa Temple has yet to be named a National Registered Cultural Heritage.

Temple Layout

You first approach Gwaneumsa Temple along a backstreet. Eventually, you’ll come to a brick gate with the name of the temple written in hanja (Chinese characters) on a green plaque. Stepping through the brick gate, you’ll see the main hall directly in front of you. This is known as the Museol-jeon Hall. Out in front of the main hall, and among the shrubbery, is a Japanese-style stone lantern. It’s adorned with moon and bamboo stone reliefs.

Backing this stone lantern is the monochrome main hall. Unlike the shrine halls of Korean temples, the main hall of Gwaneumsa Temple is adorned in a simple brown and white paint scheme. There are no windows surrounding the shrine hall, and the orangish-red sliding front doors are no longer used. Instead, a southeastern side entrance is used. Also, the large, sloping roof is positioned east-to-west, instead of the more traditional north-to-south.

To the right of the main hall, you’ll find a corridor. This type of corridor is traditional in Japanese Buddhist temples, and it’s used to connect the main hall to the monks’ dorms. Both are off-limits to the general public.

Now entering the main hall from the newly constructed southeastern entrance, you’ll find a set of stairs that will bring you up towards the elevated floor space inside the main hall. The main hall’s interior is deceptively large. The main altar, like other Japanese-style Buddhist temples in Korea, is divided into three sections. Before approaching the main altar, you’ll notice a large painting dedicated to the eighth painting of the Palsang-do (Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals). Straight ahead, and on the central main altar, you’ll find a large statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). The right section main altar space has a pair of paintings. The first is a modern mural dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars), while the other is dedicated to a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). As for the left section of the main altar, it’s a shrine for the dead.

How To Get There

To get to Gwaneumsa Temple from the Daegu subway system, you’ll need to get to the Kyungpook National University Hospital stop, which is located on line 2, stop #231. You’ll need to go out exit #1 and head west. Head west for 150 metres, until you come to Gongpyeong-ro Street. Head north at this large intersection. Walk north for about 350 metres, until you come to Gongpyeong-ro 8-gil. Head east once you come to this road for about 150 metres. Gwaneumsa Temple will appear on your left on the north side of the street. In total, the walk should take you about 10 minutes, or 650 metres.

Overall Rating: 6.5/10

Gwaneunsa Temple in central Daegu, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples in Korea with the exact same name, was first built in 1916 by the Japanese during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). It’s one of only four Japanese Buddhist temples still in existence today in Korea. If you’re looking for something a bit different, or you’re interested in this part of Korean history, Gwaneumsa Temple is a perfect place to visit.

A look through the brick gate towards the main hall at Gwaneumsa Temple.
The green plaque with the name of the temple on it.
A better look at the main hall at Gwaneumsa Temple.
The Japanese-style stone lantern at the temple.
A close look at the bamboo relief on the stone lantern.
A blend of the old and the new.
The corridor that connects the main hall (left) with the monks’ dorms (right).
A look inside the main hall.
A closer look at the central main altar.
A statue of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) on the central main altar.
A glassy image of Chilseong (The Seven Stars) inside main hall.
Joined by this Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
And one last look at the Japanese-style main hall and stone lantern at Gwaneumsa Temple in Daegu.

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