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Yeongguam Hermitage – 영구암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Yeongguam Hermitage is located on the Eunhasa Temple grounds in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s one of two hermitages directly associated with Eunhasa Temple, and it’s located to the west of the peak of Mt. Sinseosan (630.7 m). According to one legend, the hermitage was first founded by the monk Jangyu-hwasang, who was the brother of Queen Heo Hwang-ok (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.). Purportedly, Jangyu-hwasang first built the hermitage in 42 A.D., and it was later rebuilt in 509 A.D. However, it’s very difficult to verify either claim. The historical records of Yeongguam Hermitage during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) are unknown. However, there is the “Three-story Stone Pagoda of…
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Jung-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Jung-gu, Ulsan, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples with the exact same name in Korea, is located in central Ulsan in Taehwa Neighborhood Park. Gwaneumsa Temple is believed to have been established by the female devotee Nam-bosal during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Nam-bosal, after having a prophetic dream, decided to build the temple and name it Monghwa Temple. In 1927, the monk Seokgak also had a dream, one where he encountered Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). After having this dream, the monk decided to reconstruct the main hall of the temple and call the temple Gwaneumsa Temple. Later, and around…
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Daegaksa Temple – 대각사 (Jung-gu, Busan)
Temple History Daegaksa Temple in Jung-gu, Busan is a Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45) temple. The temple was one of the first Japanese Buddhist temples to be constructed after the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876, which opened the Busan Port to international trade. Initially, the temple was known as the Dongbonwonsa Busan Branch. The Dongbonwonsa Busan Branch was first founded on November 5th, 1877. The temple was affiliated with the Otani-ha of the Honganji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. After the opening of the Busan Port, the Otani-ha began missionary work upon the request of the Japanese government. So in 1877, Okumura Enshin was sent to Korea. Okumura Enshin, it should be noted,…
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Geumyongam Hermitage – 금용암 (Yeonje-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Geumyongam Hermitage is located in the very southern foothills of Mt. Soemisan (399 m) in Yeonje-gu, Busan. The name of Geumyongam Hermitage is said to originate from Mt. Geumyongsan, which is an alternative name for Mt. Soemisan. Geumyongam Hermitage means “Golden Lotus Hermitage” in English. The reason for this is that lotus flowers bloom around the hermitage grounds during the midsummer months. Within Buddhism, the golden lotus flower is meant to symbolize purity and enlightenment; and hence, why the hermitage is called Geumyongam Hermitage. As for the age of the hermitage, it dates back to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when the Buddhist laywoman, Lee Indeokhaeng, who was…
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Wolmyeongsa Temple – 월명사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Wolmyeongsa Temple is located in Gijang-gun, Busan in the eastern foothills of Mt. Ilgwangsan (385.3 m). According to legend, Wolmyeongsa Temple has been a place where people have worshipped since ancient times. However, there is no tangible proof to support this claim. The current Wolmyeongsa Temple was founded by Kim Beop-seong, who was a monk at Beomeosa Temple, in 1882. The temple was renovated in 1956. And ten years later, in 1966, the temple was rebuilt in its current form. Since 2011, Wolmyeongsa Temple has belonged to the Taego-jong Buddhist Order. The temple is one of 982 tradition temples in Korea. Temple Legend The “Legend of Wolmyeongsa Temple”…
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Geumsansa Temple – 금산사 (Sinan, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Geumsansa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the more famous temple with the same name in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, is located on Aphae-do Island in Sinan, Jeollanam-do in the south-western foothills of Mt. Geumsan (101.3 m). In fact, Geumsansa Temple is the only Buddhist temple on the island. According to the “Geumsansa-seo,” or “Introduction to Geumsansa Temple,” the temple was first founded in 1904 by three local residents. In 1981, the temple underwent a restoration. And in 1993, the temple was rebuilt. On July 27th, 1988, Geumsansa Temple was designated as a traditional temple. As a result, Geumsansa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.…
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Yulgoksa Temple – 율곡사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yulgoksa Temple is located in eastern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the the eastern foothills of Mt. Jeongsusan (829.8 m). Purportedly, Yulgoksa Temple was first founded in 651 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The temple would later be rebuilt in 930 A.D. by the monk Gamak. Almost nothing is known about the temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, there is an octagonal stone pedestal for a Buddha statue that’s situated in front of the temple’s Daeung-jeon Hall from the Goryeo Dynasty. Also, Yulgoksa Temple is mentioned in the Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Geographical Records of Korea), which was published during the reign of King Seongjong of Joseon…
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Daebeopsa Temple – 대법사 (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Daebeopsa Temple is located in western Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern foothills of Mt. Deokamsan (545.3 m). Originally, the temple was constructed in 668 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). Purportedly, while meditating, Uisang-daesa saw three cranes flying in the sky. Eventually, they would land in an area where the future Daebeopsa Temple would be built. At this time, he built a small hermitage and named it Baekhaam Hermitage. Originally, Baekhaam Hermitage was located near the future birthplace of Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610), the warrior monk. In fact, Samyeong-daesa stayed at this very hermitage for about ten years of his life. Later, and after Samyeong-daesa died at Hongjeam…
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Seongjeonam Hermitage – 성전암 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History To the south of Mt. Baekisan (369 m) in eastern Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, you’ll find Seongjeonam Hermitage. The hermitage was first established in 879 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.). The construction of Seongjeonam Hermitage was based upon Doseon-guksa applying the principles of pungsu-jiri (geomancy, feng shui). Doseon-guksa believed that the vital energy from Mt. Baekdusan, flowing southward along the east coast, peaked at Mt. Samgaksan to the north and Mt. Yeohangsan to the south. Recognizing this location as an auspicious site for a great temple, Doseon-guksa built Seongjeonam Hermitage. The exact details of the hermitage’s history after its founding are unknown. It’s not until the Joseon…
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Simjeoksa Temple – 심적사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Simjeoksa Temple is located in southern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Gisan (616.1 m), which is just outside Jirisan National Park. Simjeoksa Temple was first founded in 929 A.D.; however, the founder of the temple is unknown. Nothing is known about the temple until it was rebuilt in 1610 by the monks Seolam, Iam, and Seolbong. Most of the temple’s history remains unrecorded. However, we do know that the temple was destroyed during the Korean War (1950-53). Restoration work started on the temple in 1976, this included the rebuilding of the Nahan-jeon Hall at Simjeoksa Temple. Temple Legend There is a legend connected to Simjeoksa…