Naewonam Hermitage – 내원암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

Hermitage History

Naewonam Hermitage is located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. It’s unclear when the hermitage was first founded; however, according to historical records, it appears to have been reconstructed in 1693 by the monk Shinju. There were several renovations conducted at the hermitage during the 1800s. Also, historical records indicate the presence of the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva Statue of Naewonam Hermitage, Beomeosa Temple,” which is a Cultural Heritage Materials of Busan Metropolitan City, at this time. It’s believed that this statue was created during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

In 1900, the famed monk Gyeongheo (1849–1912) established a meditation hall (Seonwon) at Beomeosa Temple. And in 1902, he compiled the “Essentials of Seon Teachings – Seonmun Chwalyo.” The following year, he led a meditation retreat. During Gyeongheo’s residency at Beomeosa Temple, his teachings influenced the temple’s abbot, Oh Seongwol, who opened a meditation hall in October 1899 at Geumgangam Hermitage. In 1905, a meditation hall was opened at Naewonam Hermitage. This was subsequently followed with the establishment of meditation halls at Wonhyoam Hermitage in June 1906 and another at Daeseongam Hermitage in October 1910. The opening of these meditation halls at the hermitages at Beomeosa Temple helped to re-invigorate the practice of Seon Buddhism, not only in Busan, but in Korea.

Although steadily expanded over time, Naewonam Hermitage was destroyed by fire caused by an electrical shortage in the winter of 1982. The fire destroyed the main hall, the living quarters, and all of the buildings located to the rear of the hermitage grounds. This led to a major reconstruction effort at Naewonam Hermitage by the abbot of the hermitage, Neunga. In 1985, the Daejabi-jeon Hall, which enshrines a thousand-armed and eyed Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion), was constructed.

There is only one municipal treasure at Naewonam Hermitage. It’s the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva Statue of Naewonam Hermitage, Beomeosa Temple,” which is a Cultural Heritage Materials of Busan Metropolitan City.

Hermitage Layout

As you first approach the hermitage grounds, you’ll notice beautiful foliage that includes pink crepe myrtles. To the right, as you first enter the main hermitage courtyard, you’ll find the kitchen. And to the left, you’ll find the administrative office. As you continue walking forward, you’ll find that the hermitage grounds are filled with beautiful flowers and foliage.

Continuing along, you’ll notice the main hall to your right. The Daejabi-jeon Hall is surrounded by two separate monks’ dorms. The Daejabi-jeon Hall’s exterior walls are adorned with murals dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion), as well as paintings dedicated to the Bodhidharma, rabbits, and birds. Stepping inside the compact main hall, and resting all alone on the main altar, is the one thousand armed and eyed statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. To the left of the main altar, you’ll find a golden Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) relief. To the right of the main altar, you’ll find a mural dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), which is fronted by the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva Statue of Naewonam Hermitage, Beomeosa Temple.”

The “Seated Stone Bodhisattva Statue of Naewonam Hermitage, Beomeosa Temple” has a slightly bent posture. The face is slightly turned downward, and it’s relatively slender in shape. The eyes, nose, and mouth are small, and the figure wears a head-cover. Both hands are extended downward. Based upon the head-covering and the hand gesture, the statue is presumed to be a depiction of Jijang-bosal. Statues of Jijang-bosal from the 15th and 16th centuries often retained Goryeo-era elements like wearing a head-covering and holding a monk’s staff. However, by the 17th century, it became rare to find a statue of Jijang-bosal with head-coverings. Instead, statues of Jijang-bosal and Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) often took the form of a monk. So what’s interesting about this statue is that it’s from the 18th century; and yet, it’s a head-covering type of Bodhisattva statue. This is rarely seen in a statue of this kind from this time period. This diminutive statue is now housed inside a glass enclosure.

Lastly, and up the hillside to the left, you’ll find the Samseong-gak Hall. Stepping inside the shaman shrine hall, you’ll find a triad of paintings on the main altar. The central image is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). This painting is joined on either side by images of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) and Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). The exterior walls of the Samseong-gak Hall are adorned in simple dancheong colours. It’s also from the heights of the shaman shrine hall that you get to enjoy views of the valley below.

How To Get There

You can get to Naewonam Hermitage in one of two ways. In both cases, you’ll first need to take the Busan subway, Line #1, to Beomeosa station and take exit #1. Here, you can either walk thirty minutes to Beomeosa Temple, or you can walk a block uphill to the bus stop where you can take bus #90 to the nearby entrance of Beomeosa Temple. Instead of walking left towards the Iljumun Gate, continue to hang a right towards the hermitage. You’ll pass by Beomeosa Temple, which will be to your left. There will be a sign halfway between the temple and the hermitage, which will read “Naewonam Hermitage – 내원암,” on it. Continue to follow these signs as they lead you right of the main temple. Eventually, you’ll come to a small parking lot. The path will fork like a “W.” Follow the trail that’s in the middle to Naewonam Hermitage. There’s a sign that reads “Naewonam Hermitage – 내원암” halfway up the trail that will lead you the rest of the way to the hermitage.

Overall Rating: 5/10

Naewonam Hermitage is a nicely maintained hermitage to the north of Beomeosa Temple and near Cheongryeonam Hermitage. In addition to its close proximity to these two other religious sites, you can also enjoy all of the flowers and foliage at Naewonam Hermitage. You can also enjoy the interior of the Daejabi-jeon Hall with its one thousand armed and eyed image of Gwanseeum-bosal, as well as the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva Statue of Naewonam Hermitage, Beomeosa Temple.” Hermitages can be quite small and private; however, a trip to Beomeosa Temple should include a couple of its hermitages. And one of these hermitages should be Naewonam Hermitage.