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Baekryeonam Hermitage – 백련암 (Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baekryeonam Hermitage is located on the eastern slopes of Mt. Jigulsan (896.9 m) in northwestern Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Baekryeonam Hermitage, which means “White Lotus Hermitage” in English, is said to have first been founded in 1317. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), it’s said that Gwak Jae-u (1552–1617), who was known as the “Red Robe General” and a military general in charge of part of the Righteous Army during the Imjin War (1592-98), studied at Baekryeonam Hermitage at the age of 16. Very little is known about the hermitage until 1893, when the monk Juseon rebuilt the hermitage. In more recent years, the hermitage has undergone numerous renovations including the…
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Geumjeongseonwon Temple – 금정선원 (Dongnae-gu, Busan)
Temple History Geumjeongseonwon Temple, which is also known as Geumjeongsa Temple, is located in Geumgang Park behind the Busan Marine Natural History Museum (부산해양자연사박물관) in Dongnae-gu, Busan. Geumjeongseonwon Temple was first founded in 1924 by the monk Gwon-u as a place for prayer. While there is no written record about the temple’s history before 1924, it’s believed that the site was once home to another temple in the past. The site of the location is also believed to have once been the location of the execution grounds of Dongnae-bu during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). As a result, it’s believed that the spirits of those that had been executed cry…
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Yeongjuam Hermitage – 영주암 (Suyeong-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Yeongjuam Hermitage is located in Suyeong-gu, Busan in the southern foothills of Mt. Baesan (256.3 m). As for the name of the hermitage, it’s a transliteration of Mt. Yingzhou, or “Yeongjusan” in Korean. This legendary mountain in China was a place where Taoist Immortals (Sinseon) are said to have resided and practiced. So because of its picturesque location, Yeongjuam Hermitage is said to resemble Mt. Yingzhou. Yeongjuam Hermitage was first founded in 1540, and it was originally nothing more than a cave. In 1850, a monk founded a hermitage on these grounds as a place to practice; however, neither its name nor its halls still exist. At this…
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Beopryunsa Temple – 법륜사 (Dongnae-gu, Busan)
Temple History Beopryunsa Temple is located to the south of Dongnae Historic Park in Dongnae-gu, Busan. Beopryunsa Temple is located in ancient Gochilsan, which is mentioned in the “Samguk Sagi,” or “History of the Three Kingdoms” in English. Beopryunsa Temple was first founded in 1898 as a branch temple of Beomeosa Temple. In total, Beopryunsa Temple was one of five branch temples in Busan established by Beomeosa Temple in the late 19th century. They were located in the four centres of the city that included Seomyeon, Yeongdo, and Dongnae. Four of these five temples have subsequently disappeared. This now only leaves Beopryunsa Temple. Beopryunsa Temple was created to help spread…
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Doseongam Hermitage – 도성암 (Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Doseongam Hermitage is located west of Mt. Hwawangsan (757.7 m) in eastern Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s believed that Doseongam Hermitage was first founded by the Silla monk Jiwol-seonsa in 810 A.D. However, the exact details surrounding the creation of Doseongam Hermitage are unclear, and very little is known about its history after its construction. During the Imjin War (1592-98), Doseongam Hermitage was completely destroyed by fire. After, all that remained of the hermitage was the site. Later, Doseongam Hermitage was rebuilt to counter the belief that an existing hermitage in Jaha-gol Valley of Mt. Hwawangsan was located in a geomantically (pungsu-jiri) inauspicious location, which caused disasters for those residents…
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Baekunam Hermitage – 백운암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baekunam Hermitage, which means “White Cloud Hermitage” in English, is located in northern Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do on the northern slopes of Mt. Mucheoksan (702.1). As for the name Mt. Mucheoksan, “Mu” means “without,” while “cheok” means “one” or a “single unit.” So Mt. Mucheoksan means “Without Equal/Peerless Mountain” in English. The name of the mountain is meant to symbolize its unmatched beauty and/or prominence. Another interpretation of the mountain’s name is believed to be connected to the Buddhist term “muchak,” which means “non-attachment.” A little further up Mt. Mucheoksan, and beyond Baekunam Hermitage to the west, and you’ll come to a large lake known as Cheon-ji, which is “Heavenly…
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Naewonam Hermitage – 내원암 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Hermitage History Naewonam Hermitage is located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan in the eastern foothills of Mt. Daeunsan (742.6 m). Additionally, Naewonam Hermitage is located up the very scenic Naewonam-gol Valley, which is especially popular during the summer months. As for Naewonam Hermitage, it’s believed to date back to the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). The hermitage is believed to have first been founded by the monk Gobong. Very little is known about the hermitage after its founding. Later, and according to the “Chilseonggakjeongjeok” (七星閣創建記), which was written in 1919, some 160 people helped construct the Chilseong-gak Hall at Naewonam Hermitage. However, in 1925, a large fire broke out at…
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Okcheonam Hermitage – 옥천암 (Buk-gu, Ulsan)
Hermitage History Okcheonam Hermitage, which means “Jade Spring Hermitage” in English, is located in the western foothills of Mt. Muryongsan (450.6 m) in northeastern Ulsan. Purportedly, Okcheonam Hermitage was first established in 931 A.D.; however, the monk that first founded the hermitage is unknown. Later, the monk Woneum renovated the hermitage during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Originally, the hermitage was known as Obongsa Temple, or “Five Peaks Temple” in English. The temple would eventually be renamed Okcheonam Hermitage after a jade spring emerged from between the rocks on the hermitage grounds. Also, it’s believed that when there are difficulties facing the hermitage, the spring water dries up. As a result,…
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Haenamsa Temple – 해남사 (Jung-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Haenamsa Temple is located in central Ulsan in Jung-gu. The temple was first a missionary temple for Tongdosa Temple. According to the “Directory of Propagation Districts in the 19th issue of the “Joseon Buddhist Monthly Report” (朝鮮佛敎月報), which was published in 1913, Haenamsa Temple was first established in October 1911 under the name of “Ulsan Buddhist Missionary Centre.” Later, in 1936, the missionary centre was renamed as Haenamsa Temple. It was established by the monk Guha, who was the abbot of Tongdosa Temple. And the reason that the temple was first constructed is that Korean people, and Ulsan people in particular, were suffering during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45),…
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Eungseoksa Temple – 응석사 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Eungseoksa Temple is located in northern Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do to the south of Mt. Jibhyeonsan (578.1 m). Eungseoksa Temple was first established in 554 A.D. According to historical records, and in 662 A.D., the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) is said to have held a lecture at the temple. However, since Uisang-daesa was studying in Tang China (618–690, 705–907 A.D.) at this time, it’s unlikely that he was also giving a lecture at Eungseoksa Temple, as well. In the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), such monks as Jigong (1289–1363 A.D.), Naong Hyegeun (1320–1376), and Muhak (1327–1405) are recorded to have stayed at Eungseoksa Temple. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), monks…