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Juksa Temple – 죽사 (Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Juksa Temple, which means “Bamboo Temple” in English, is located on the southern slopes of Mt. Biryongsan in western Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. Geographically, it’s located near the summit of Mt. Biryongsan with a large rock wall rising on the eastern side of the grounds. This natural rock feature almost appears to encircle the temple, in part, like a folding screen. There are no surviving records about when the temple was first founded, but according to one theory, Juksa Temple was first founded by the monk Dogam-guksa during the reign of King Uija of Baekje (r. 641-660 A.D.). However, since there is no record of a monk named Dogam that…
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Ssanggyesa Temple – 쌍계사 (Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Ssanggyesa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the other more famous temple of the same name in Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, is located to the north of Mt. Jakbongsan (419.5 m) in southern Nonsan, Chunghcheongnam-do. The name of the temple means “Two Valleys Temple” in English. Initially, however, the temple was known as Baekamsa Temple. According to the “Junggeonbi” or “Reconstruction Monument” in English, Ssanggyesa Temple was first founded during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) through the initiative of Haengchon Yi Im; however, the exact date and founder of the temple remains unknown. It’s also believed by some that the monk Hyemyeong-daesa built Ssanggyesa Temple during the early part of the…
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Taeguksa Temple – 태국사 (Taean, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Taeguksa Temple is located in western Taean, Chungcheongnam-do. In fact, the temple is the most westerly Buddhist temple in Korea. Taeguksa Temple is situated inside Anheungjin-seong Fortress and overlooks the Yellow Sea. It’s unclear when the temple was first founded, but it’s believed to have been first founded by the monk Hyemyeong during the reign of King Mu of Baekje (r. 600-641 A.D.). Due to the temple’s location, it’s believed that Taeguksa Temple might have been used as a military base during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C.–660 A.D.). The temple was also known for housing a shrine dedicated to Dangun, who is the legendary founder of Korea. Taeguksa…
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Yongamsa Temple – 용암사 (Paju, Gyeonggi-do)
Temple History Yongamsa Temple is located in eastern Paju, Gyeonggi-do to the west of Mt. Bakdalsan (363 m). Although the exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown, it does seem to be closely linked to the creation of the “Two Rock-Carved Standing Buddhas in Yongmi-ri, Paju,” which is believed to date back to the 11th century. Although there are no records about the temple from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), it is known that Yongamsa Temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-98) and later rebuilt on the old temple site in 1936. The Daeung-jeon Hall was constructed in 1979. And a year later, the mural dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The…
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Gukcheongsa Temple – 국청사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gukcheongsa Temple is located in the southern portion of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Gukcheongsa Temple is also just south of the Geumgjeongsan-seong Fortress southern walls. Gukcheongsa Temple was first built by Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). Little is known about the temple’s history until the Imjin War (1592-98), when the temple was used as a strategic military command post by the Righteous Army against Japanese invading forces. In 1703, the Geumjeongsan-seong Fortress was repaired; and with it, Gukcheongsa Temple was rebuilt, as well. More recently, the temple has undergone a lot of construction. In 1978, the Samseong-gak Hall…
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Gayasa Temple – 가야사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gayasa Temple is located in Busanjin-gu, Busan along the northern portion of Mt. Palgeumsan (236 m). In fact, the temple is located near downtown central Seomyeon; and with the right angle, you can get some great views of Seomyeon off in the distance. Gayasa Temple is a branch temple of Beomeosa Temple, and it belongs to the Jogye-jong Order, which is the largest Buddhist Order in Korea. The temple doesn’t have the longest of histories, especially when you compare it to a temple like Beomeosa Temple, which was first founded in 678 A.D. However, Gayasa Temple is over one hundred years of age. Temple Layout You first approach…
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Borimsa Temple – 보림사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Borimsa Temple is located in western Gijang-gun, Busan to the east of Mt. Jangnyeonsan (240.2 m). And in front of the temple grounds is where three rivers meet. Purportedly the mountains that surround Borimsa Temple are shaped like lotus flowers, while the mountain where Borimsa Temple is located looks like a turtle looking for water. In 1986, while monks at Haeinsa Temple were looking for a place to study, they found a site where three streams met and the mountain behind was shaped like a lotus flower. So not long after, they built Borimsa Temple. Thus, Borimsa Temple is a modern temple that belongs to the Jogye-jong Buddhist…
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Heungguksa Temple – 흥국사 (Goyang, Gyeonggi-do)
Temple History Heungguksa Temple is located in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do just outside the city limits of Seoul and the park boundaries of Bukhansan National Park. The temple is believed to have first been established in 661 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). After practicing at neighbouring Wonhyoam Hermitage, Wonhyo-daesa decided to also build Heungseongam Hermitage, which is located some three kilometres away. Wonhyo-daesa noticed auspicious energy rising from the western foothills of Mt. Hansan for three consecutive days. Upon further investigation, Wonhyo-daesa found that a seated image of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine) had emerged from the ground at the current site of the Yaksa-jeon Hall at Heungguksa Temple.…
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Bogwangsa Temple – 보광사 (Paju, Gyeonggi-do)
Temple History Bogwangsa Temple is located in eastern Paju, Gyeonggi-do to the west of Mt. Goryeongsan (621.1 m). Bogwangsa Temple was first founded in 894 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) as a national treasure temple (국가비보사찰) following a royal command. In 1215, the monk Wonjin renovated the temple, and the monk Beopmin enshrined five Buddha and Bodhisattva statues inside the main hall. This was followed in 1388 by the monk Muhak (1327–1405) renovating the temple, once more. Bogwangsa Temple was completely destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-98). The temple would eventually be rebuilt in 1622 by the monks Seolmi and Deokin. In 1631, the monk…
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Jingwansa Temple – 진관사 (Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul)
Temple History Jingwansa Temple is located in the southwestern part of Bukhansan National Park in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. It’s claimed that Jingwansa Temple was first built during the reign of Queen Jindeok of Silla (r. 647–654 A.D.) as a small temple known as Sinhyeolsa Temple. It would be rebuilt much larger in 1010 and renamed Jingwansa Temple. Jingwansa Temple was built by King Hyeonjong of Goryeo (r. 1009-1031) in appreciation of the Buddhist monk Jingwan, who had saved the life of the king during his ascension to the throne. More specifically, King Mokjong of Goryeo (r. 997-1009) didn’t have a son, so Wang Sun (future King Hyeongjong of Goryeo) was named…