Seobongsa Temple – 서봉사 (Nam-gu, Daegu)
Temple History
Seobongsa Temple is located in Nam-gu, Daegu, and it belongs to the Jogye-jong Buddhist Order. Some say that the temple was first founded in 1903; however, the exact date is unknown. According to temple records, these records state that Seobongsa Temple was founded on July 15, 1914. But this, too, can’t be definitively confirmed. It’s been estimated by others that Seobongsa Temple was first founded in 1920 as a small hermitage. The founder of Seobongsa Temple was a laywoman named Kim Chohyang. Purportedly, she was a former gisaeng (female entertainer). She established Seobongam Hermitage (the former name of the temple) in an act to be remembered after she died after she reflected on her life.
Several prominent monks have called the temple home. In 1952, a monk from Gukilam Hermitage at Haeinsa Temple laid the foundation for the reconstruction of Seobongsa Temple. After, and in 1971, a major phase of reconstruction took place at the temple under the nun Gyeonghui. Construction of the current Daeungbo-jeon Hall began in 1978. The previous main hall was relocated and renamed the Samseong-gak Hall. In 1981, the main altar triad and painting for the Daeungbo-jeon Hall were created. Rather interestingly, the Daeungbo-jeon Hall at Seobongsa Temple is a scaled-down version of the Daeung-jeon Hall at Tongdosa Temple.
In later construction starting in 1995, the two-story bell pavilion was created with the Cheonwangmun Gate being housed on the first story, while the second story is occupied by the Jong-ru Pavilion. In December 2019, due to problems with the existing Myeongbu-jeon Hall, extensive repairs were conducted on the shrine hall.
Seobongsa Temple is home to one Korean Treasure, the “Buddhist Painting of Seobongsa Temple, Daegu (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Underworld Kings)”; as well as the “The Wooden Triad of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Kings from Seobongsa Temple in Daegu (Complete Set),” which are a Daegu Metropolitan City Tangible Cultural Heritage. Also, Seobongsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.
Temple Layout
First approaching Seobongsa Temple up a narrow back road, you’ll first encounter the two-in-one bell pavilion. The first story is occupied by four statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, while the second story is home to a set of four traditional Buddhist percussion instruments. The exterior walls are adorned with paintings dedicated to the Geumgang-yeoksa (Vajra Warriors).
Passing through this entry gate, you’ll next encounter nuns’ dorms at Seobongsa Temple. Around this large building to the right, you’ll enter into the main temple courtyard at Seobongsa Temple. Having now entered the main temple courtyard, the first thing you’ll notice in the centre is a large three-story pagoda. While traditional in design, it has a large finial crowning the top of the pagoda.
To the left of this modern three-story pagoda, you’ll find the relocated former main hall that now acts as the Samseong-gak Hall. The exterior walls are adorned with blue-accented murals that are starting to chip and fade. They consist of such images as Sinseon (Taoist Immortals), Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). Stepping inside the large Samseong-gak Hall, you’ll find a triad of murals on the main altar. In the centre of these three, you’ll see an older mural dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). This painting is a large, well-populated older image dedicated to this shaman deity. To the right of this painting is a painting dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). Instead of holding them, Dokseong has yeomju (chanting beads) wrapped around his left wrist. And off in the distance, you can see a collection of buildings that almost look like a temple. To the left of Chilseong, you’ll find the third shaman mural housed inside the Samseong-gak Hall. This painting is dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). The central image of Sanshin sits atop a tiger with white mountains off in the distance. The three shaman murals appear to be an older set.
To the right of the courtyard’s three-story pagoda, you’ll find the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, which houses all of the treasures found at Seobongsa Temple. The exterior walls are adorned with some stunning murals dedicated to the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld). Stepping inside, you’ll find a shrine hall filled with stunning statues. These are “The Wooden Triad of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Kings from Seobongsa Temple in Daegu (Complete Set),” which are a Daegu Metropolitan City Tangible Cultural Heritage. This complete collection, which consists of 29 statues, dates back to March and May of 1665. These 29 statues were originally enshrined at Yongheungsa Temple in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, but they were later relocated to Seobongsa Temple. They were produced by a team of nine sculptor-monks led by Seung-il, which is recorded in an inscription found on the pedestal for Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). This golden statue with dark green hair rests all alone on the main altar.
Backing the statue of Jijang-bosal is the “Buddhist Painting of Seobongsa Temple, Daegu (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Underworld Kings),” which is the sole Korean Treasure at Seobongsa Temple. This painting depicts Jijang-bosal being surrounded by the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld). This altar painting was made in May 1741, and it was created by a team of painters led by monk-artisan Segwan. This painting was originally enshrined in the Muryangsu-jeon Hall at Namjangsa Temple in Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, where two other paintings created by Segwan are also housed. Rather interesting, and according to the inscription on the painting, Segwan was considered a “sleeping dragon” (yongmyeon), which was a term used in the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) to describe skilled monk-artisans.
As for the painting itself, the central image is that of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), who is flanked below by his two attendants: Domyungjonja and Mudokgwiwang. On either side of this triad, you’ll find the Siwang (Ten Kings of the Underworld). Each of the Siwang is accompanied by judges, clerks (noksa), prison guards (okjol), and attendants (dongja). At the top of the image is a small depiction of an uncommon Bodhisattva: Yukgwang-bosal (one of the Six Light Bodhisattvas). This type of layout for this painting is typical of a Jijang-Siwang-do from the mid-18 century.
Out in the main temple courtyard, and behind the modern three-story pagoda, you’ll find the T-shaped Daeungbo-jeon Hall modelled after the Daeung-jeon Hall at Tongdosa Temple. The exterior walls that adorn this main hall are dedicated to the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha). Stepping inside the Daeungbo-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar occupied by a triad centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This triad rests underneath a large red canopy with a pair of dragons at the front wrestling over a flaming wisdom pearl. And in front of the triad are a pair of eopyeongdae (karma mirrors). On the far left wall, you’ll find an older Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). And lining the interior walls of the Daeungbo-jeon Hall, you’ll find a collection of Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals).
To the right of the Daeungbo-jeon Hall is the temple’s kitchen. And to the rear, you’ll find a nice little cafe, if you’re feeling thirsty after all that sight-seeing.
How To Get There
From the Geondeulbawi subway station on the Daegu subway system, Line 3, you’ll need to go out exit #2. From this exit, head west up the major road, “Myeongdeok-ro – 명덕로,” and cross over the main intersection. Eventually, you’ll come to “Myeongdeok-ro 54-gil – 명덕로 54-길” to the south. This road will split, so make sure you take the road to the left. Continue up this road, until you arrive at the temple grounds 100 metres away.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Seobongsa Temple is crammed into the temple site in bustling Daegu. The main highlights at the temple are all of its artwork like that found inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall. Both the “Buddhist Painting of Seobongsa Temple, Daegu (Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Underworld Kings)” and the “The Wooden Triad of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva and Ten Kings from Seobongsa Temple in Daegu (Complete Set)” are stunning. Also, the three shaman murals housed inside the Samseong-gak Hall are excellent, as well. And not to be overlooked is the interior to the Daeungbo-jeon Hall. It all makes for a beautiful temple.
