Gyeongju

Yeonjiam Hermitage – 연지암 (Gyeongju)

Yeonjiam Hermitage in Gyeongju.

Hermitage History and Legend

Yeonjiam Hermitage is located in southeastern Gyeongju. The hermitage was first founded during the latter part of Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45) by a Buddhist laywoman named Kim Yeonji. According to the hermitage legend, Kim had a dream in which the sound of a wooden hand bell, or moktak in Korean, was coming from the middle of a field. When Kim went to this field, she started digging. It was during this dig that she discovered a statue of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). This would end up being the “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju,” which is a provincial treasure. A Japanese soldier learned about Kim’s discovery and demanded that she turn over the statue of the Buddha to Japanese authorities. Kim refused. For this, she was tortured and reportedly died after vomiting blood. Ultimately, the location of the stone Buddha would be kept a secret. The hermitage, Yeonjiam Hermitage, is named for Kim Yeonji.

Yeonjiam Hermitage is home to the “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju,” which is Cultural Heritage Materials of Gyeongsangbuk-do #385-2.

The “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju” from the hermitage legend.

Hermitage Layout

You first approach Yeonjiam Hermitage from the west and around a bend in the road. Rather strangely, the hermitage parking lot is situated to the rear of the hermitage grounds along a looping gravel road.

However, standing in the front of the hermitage grounds, with the Daeung-jeon Hall squarely in front of you, you’ll notice a small pond to your far left. Out in front of the Daeung-jeon Hall, on the other hand, is a modern seokdeung (stone lantern). As for the main hall, it has a long, slopping roof with simple dancheong colours adorning the exterior of the shrine hall.

Entering the Daeung-jeon Hall through the right entryway, you’ll see a main altar triad centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) and flanked on either side by images of Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power) and Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom). All three images are then surrounded by beautiful, golden mandorlas. To the right of the main altar is a rather long Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). To the right of this is a modern mural dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). And hanging on the far right wall, mainly because the hermitage doesn’t have a Samseong-gak Hall, you’ll find a triad of paintings dedicated to the three most popular shaman deities: Chilseong (The Seven Stars), Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). All three are painted by the same artist and appear to be quite traditional in design.

To the left of the main altar, and near the audio system for the shrine hall, you’ll find the “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju.” This image is meant to represent Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha). The standing body of Yaksayeorae-bul is surrounded by a stone mandorla. The edges of the mandorla are adorned with reliefs of flames, and there is a clear halo relief surrounding the head of the standing statue. There is also a large protruding part to the top of the statue’s head. This is meant to symbolize the Buddha’s wisdom. The face has been damaged, and it hasn’t been repaired all that well. In fact, the face looks a little goofy in its present condition. The body is well-proportioned, and its robe is draped across both shoulders to cover its entire body. In its left hand, it holds a medicinal bowl.

In addition to the previously mentioned hermitage legend, the “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju” is believed to possess extraordinary powers. It’s believed that this statue can grant academic success, business success, and/or better health.

To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the monks’ dorms. And to the rear of the hermitage grounds, you’ll find the parking lot and a storage building.

How To Get There

From the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal, you can take Bus #600 or Bus #605 to get to Yeonjiam Hermitage. You’ll need to take this bus for 30 stops, or 35 minutes, and get off at the “Hwalseong-ipgu – 활성입구 하차” bus stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to head east alongside smaller farmers’ fields. You’ll specifically need to head down “Hwalseong-gil – 활성길” road for about 1.3 km, or 20 minutes. Eventually, you’ll see a sign guiding you up towards Yeonjiam Hermitage.

Overall Rating: 3/10

There isn’t a ton to appreciate at Yeonjiam Hermitage outside an interesting legend and the “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju.” You can enjoy the main altar triad and the golden mandorla that surround them, as well as the intricate Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural), but that’s about it at Yeonjiam Hermitage. One thing to be said about the hermitage is that it’s one of the 982 traditional temples in Korea, so there’s that, too.

The main hermitage courtyard at Yeonjiam Hermitage.
The Daeung-jeon Hall.
An up-close look at the main hall.
A look around the interior of the Daeung-jeon Hall.
The main altar inside the Daeung-jeon Hall.
The Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) to the right of the main altar.
Joined by this modern mural dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife).
To the left of the main altar is the “Standing Stone Buddha Statue in Hwalseong-ri, Gyeongju.”
A look up at the blue sky and the roof of the Daeung-jeon Hall.

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