Haedong Seongchuisa Temple – 해동성취사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History
Haedong Seongchuisa Temple is located in Gijang-gun, Busan near the East Sea. And while it has a similar name to Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, the sea and haedong are pretty much all that these two temples have in common. With a large golf course to the rear and the views of the East Sea out in front, Haedong Seongchuisa Temple was first built in 2000. The temple is home to a handful of shrine halls, and the current abbot, Uam, completed training in Beomeum Beompae (traditional Buddhist chant and song), which is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage #9. Abbot Uam established a Beomeum Beompae university at the temple. The abbot holds classes every Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., offering both a one-year full course and a six-month intensive course. He has done all this to help preserve this aspect of traditional Korean Buddhism.
Temple Layout
When you first arrive at the temple grounds, you’ll be greeted by a beautiful view of the neighbouring East Sea in front of you some 200 metres away. As for the temple itself, and from the temple parking lot, you’ll see a rather interesting traditional drum shaped bathroom.
Up the slight embankment, you’ll next come to the monks’ dorms to your right, as well as the Beomjong-gak Pavilion. Housed inside this bell pavilion is a large bronze bell. Rather interestingly, on top of this bell pavilion, you’ll find a stone statue dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). In its hand, it holds a gold staff. Also in this area is a statue dedicated to Podae-hwasang (The Hempen Bag), as well as the most impressive views of the neighbouring sea off in the distance.
Further up the embankment, and straight ahead of you, you’ll find a large two-story main hall at Haedong Seongchuisa Temple. The first story of the structure is the Jijang-jeon Hall. Stepping inside, you’ll find a main altar occupied by Jijang-bosal. As for the second story of the structure, there are beautiful Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals) that adorn the exterior of the main hall. This second story structure is the Daeung-jeon Hall. Stepping inside, you’ll find a main altar occupied by the central image of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). Joining this central statue are images of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise) and Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). On the far left wall, you’ll find the Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). And at the base of the walls are medium-sized statues dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion).
To the rear of the Daeung-jeon Hall is a golden statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. This statue is then backed by some of the most impressive paintings dedicated to the Sibiji-shin (Twelve Spirit Generals) that I’ve seen in all of my travels. They appear to have been painted by the same impressive artist that created the Palsang-do that surround the second story main hall. You’ll also find an equally impressive Gwimyeon (Monster Mask) by the same artist in this area, as well.
To the right of the large Gwanseeum-bosal statue are two of the more interesting features of Haedong Seongchuisa Temple. They are the Sanshin-gak Hall and the Yongwang-dang Hall. The first of these two shaman shrine halls that are both housed inside an artificial cave is the Sanshin-gak Hall. Housed inside is a large-sized granite statue of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). Sanshin is then backed by a beautifully rendered painting of himself. As for the second shaman shrine hall, it’s the Yongwang-dang Hall. Through the darkness, and as you enter this shaman shrine hall, two golden eyes penetrate the darkness. As you get a bit closer, you’ll suddenly realize that this set of eyes belongs to Yongwang (Dragon King). In front of this Yongwang statue is a small artificial stream that flows into a shallow pool of water. To the left of the Yongwang main altar, you’ll find a painting dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). And in front of this painting is a stone marker that suggests that the location of the temple is an auspicious site.
How To Get There
From Ilgwang station, which is stop #K124 on the Donghae Line, you’ll need to go out exit #1 and head south past the rotary towards a bus stop where Bus #188 departs from. You’ll need to take this bus for 7 stops, or 6 minutes, and get off at the “Onjeong – 온정 하차” bus stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to head south down “Ilgwang-ro – 일광로” road for 5 minutes, or 375 metres. Haedong Seongchuisa Temple will appear on your right.
And if you’d rather a taxi from the Ilgwang station, it’ll take 5 minutes, or 3.3 km, and it’ll cost you 5,800 won (one way) to get to Haedong Seongchuisa Temple.
Overall Rating: 5.5/10
While definitely newer, Haedong Seongchuisa Temple has its fair share of beautiful artwork like the paintings dedicated to the Sibiji-shin (The Twelve Spirit Generals), the Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals), and the Gwimyeon (Monster Mask). In addition to this artwork, the views of the East Sea off in the distance are pretty special, as well.
