Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Busan)
Temple History
Wolbongsa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Busan to the south of Mt. Gubongsan (404.5 m). Additionally, Wolbongsa Temple is scenically located with the Port of Busan and the Namhang Bridge off in the distance. It’s unclear when Wolbongsa Temple was first constructed.
Temple Layout
You first arrive at Wolbongsa Temple through a network of old Busan houses. When you finally do arrive at the temple, you’ll notice that Wolbongsa Temple is beautifully perched atop a compact temple courtyard that overlooks the Port of Busan. In fact, if you look close enough, you’ll notice the Namhang Bridge off in the distance, as well.
Stepping into the temple courtyard, the first thing to greet you is a three-story stone pagoda that’s surrounded by a set of seokdeung (stone lanterns). This modern stone pagoda stands in front of the Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls of the Daeung-jeon Hall are adorned with fading images from the Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals).
Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a row of seven golden statues on the main altar that are broken up into three separate altars. The central altar has a triad of statues centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This image is then joined on either side by Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). To the left of this main altar triad is a shrine dedicated to a solitary image of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). And the right altar has another triad. This triad consists of three different incarnations of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). The rest of the interior is filled with images of Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha), as well as a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) that hangs on the far left wall.
To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall stands the Jong-ru Pavilion. Housed inside the Jong-ru Pavilion is a diminutive bronze bell. And between the Daeung-jeon Hall and the Jong-ru Pavilion, you’ll find a standing stone image dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. To the right of the main hall, on the other hand, and through a narrow staircase situated next to the monks’ dorms, is a platform that houses a stone image of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). This image serenely looks out over the Port of Busan.
The final shrine hall that visitors can explore at Wolbongsa Temple, and crowning the temple heights, is the Samseong-gak Hall. Stepping inside the shaman shrine hall, you’ll find that the main altar images rest upon a rocky outcropping. A statue of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) rests in the centre and is joined nearby by a statue of Yongwang (The Dragon King). To the left of these central images is an all-white statue dedicated to Podae-hwasang (The Hempen Bag), while to the right rests an image of Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). This is a rather peculiar triad inside a Samseong-gak Hall with Chilseong (The Seven Stars) missing and Sanshin being the central image.
How To Get There
To get to Wolbongsa Temple, you’ll first need to make your way to Choryang Subway Station, which is stop #114 on the first line. After arriving at the subway station, you’ll need to go out exit #8. From here, you can catch a taxi to bring you up to Wolbongsa Temple. The taxi ride should take about eight minutes, or 1.5 km, and it’ll cost you around 4,800 won (one way).
You can take a taxi or you can simply walk the twenty minute distance up Mt. Gubongsan to get to Wolbongsa Temple. But the 1.5 kilometre hike is mostly uphill so keep that in mind. Head towards Busan Middle School to help guide you towards the temple. There should be some signs along the way to guide you towards Wolbongsa Temple.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Without a doubt, the main highlight to Wolbongsa Temple are the spectacular views of Busan with the potential for pictures of the Port of Busan and Namhang Bridge from the elevated heights of the temple grounds. Other highlights include the outdoor statues dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal and Yaksayeorae-bul that are situated on either side of the temple grounds. And in combination with the numerous other temples in the area like Geumsusa Temple, a trip to Wolbongsa Temple can make for a beautiful day trip around Busan Station.
