• Gyeongju

    Geumjeongsa Temple – 금정사 (Gyeongju)

    Temple History Geumjeongsa Temple is located in western Gyeongju near the summit of Mt. Saryongsan (685.5 m). In fact, Geumjeongsa Temple might be the most westerly temple in the ancient city of Gyeongju. According to tradition, Geumjeongsa Temple was first founded by the famed monk Wonhyo (617-686 A.D.). After being damaged during the Imjin War (1592-98), the temple would eventually be rebuilt during the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon (r. 1724-1776) in 1750. Geumjeongsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Temple Layout You first make your way up towards Geumjeongsa Temple up a steep, side-winding mountain road that stretches over a kilometre in distance.…

  • Daegu

    Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Dong-gu, Daegu)

    Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Dong-gu, Daegu shouldn’t be confused with the numerous other temples in Korea with the same name, especially the nearby Gwaneumsa Temple in Jung-gu. This Gwaneumsa Temple is situated in the northern foothills of Mt. Hyangsan (160.1 m). Both temples are named for the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. According to the “Palgongsan Dodong Naggasan Gwaneumsa Temple Monument Inscription,” Gwaneumsa Temple was first founded in 670 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). It would later be rebuilt by the monk Simji in the early 9th century. After this, very little is known about the temple’s history outside Jingak-guksa (1178-1234) and his writings from the Goryeo…

  • Jeollanam-do/Gwangju

    Jeungsimsa Temple – 증심사 (Dong-gu, Gwangju)

    Temple History Jeungsimsa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Gwangju in the western foothills of Mt. Mudeungsan (1,186.8 m). In fact, Jeungsimsa Temple is located in the western portion of Mudeungsan National Park. Jeungsimsa temple was first founded by the monk Cheolgam-seonsa (798-868 A.D.) in 860 A.D. However, there is some dispute as to when the temple was first founded. According to the “Gwangju Eupji – 광주읍지,” which was published in 1924, the temple was first founded in 517 A.D. by a Chinese monk named Cheolgam from the Liang Dynasty (502-519 A.D.). According to the “Gwangju Gunsa – 광주군사,” on the other hand, which was published in 1934, the temple was…

  • Jeollanam-do/Gwangju

    Geumseonsa Temple – 금선사 (Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju)

    Temple History Geumseonsa Temple is located in western Gwangju inside Seongjong Park. Formerly, Geumseonsa Temple was Songjeong Shrine, which was a Japanese Shinto shrine. As part of the Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45) policy, Shinto shrines were established throughout the Korean Peninsula, and visiting these shrines was enforced. This was all part of an effort to make Koreans loyal subjects of the Japanese Emperor. Geumseonsa Temple, which was formerly Songjeong Shrine, is the only remaining Japanese Shinto shrine in Korea. Originally, the Songjeong Shrine was the site of the Shimmei Shrine, which was established on November 25th, 1922 (Taisho 11). On August 28th, 1940 (Showa 15), Otsuka Yohei and fifty-three other…

  • Jeollanam-do

    Bulgapsa Temple – 불갑사 (Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do)

    Temple History Bulgapsa Temple is located in southern Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do in the northwestern foothills of Mt. Bulgapsan (516 m). The exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown; however there is one legend that suggests that Bulgapsa Temple was first founded in 384 A.D. by the monk Haengsa-jonja, who was also known as Marananta (fl. late 4th century). Also according to this legend, Marananta established three temples: Bulgapsa Temple, Dogapsa Temple, and Bonggapsa Temple. Rather interestingly, Marananta is credited with introducing Buddhism to Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) in 384 A.D. Reportedly, Marananta arrived on the Korean Peninsula at Beopseong-po Port, which means “Sacred Law Port” in English.…

  • Ulsan

    Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)

    Temple History Wolbongsa Temple in Dong-gu, UIsan is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeomposan (203.4 m). It’s believed that the temple was first founded in 930 A.D. by the monk Seongdo-yulsa. According to a temple legend, Seongdo-yulsa recognized the future temple site as a special location. While walking along the Bangojin seashore, the monk looked up and noticed that the full moon, which should have been reflected in the sea, appeared to be hanging perfectly over a mountain instead. Seongdo-yulsa considered this to be an auspicious sign and place, so he made his way through the woods. When he arrived, he foresaw that a great temple would be…

  • Jeollanam-do

    Former Dongbonwonsa Temple – 구 동본원사 (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do)

    Temple History The Former Dongbonwonsa Temple is located in downtown Mokpo, Jeollanam-do near the Mokpo Port to the south and Mt. Yudalsan (229.5 m) to the west. Known officially as the Jinjong Daegokha Dongbonwonsa Temple, it was the first Japanese Buddhist temple established in Mokpo. Following the division of Japan’s Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land School) during the Edo Period (1603–1868) into East and West branches, Dongbonwon (Higashi Hongan-ji) became affiliated with the Otani sect in 1873, while Nishi Hongan-ji was known as the Honpa (Jodo Shinshu). The Daegokha Otani sect espoused the belief that even those who had committed serious crimes could attain salvation. The Mokpo branch of Dongbonwonsa…

  • Ulsan

    Dongchuksa Temple – 동축사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)

    Temple History Dongchuksa Temple is located in eastern Ulsan in the southern foothills of Mt. Magolsan (297 m). Also, it’s from the heights of Dongchuksa Temple that you can get views of the East Sea off in the distance. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” or “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms” in English, and under the section on the “Sixteen Foot Buddha of Hwangnyongsa Temple,” Dongchuksa Temple appears in a round about way. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” Dongchuksa Temple was first founded in 573 A.D. under the orders of King Jinheung of Silla (r. 540–576 A.D.). “Dongchuksa” means “East Buddha Nation Temple” in English (more on this later). Dongchuksa Temple…

  • Jeollanam-do

    Bukmireukam Hermitage – 북미륵암 (Haenam, Jeollanam-do)

    Hermitage History Bukmireukam Hermitage is located on the Daeheungsa Temple grounds to the west of Mt. Duryunsan (700 m) in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. The name of the hermitage means “North Mireuk-bul Hermitage” in English, which is a reference to the Future Buddha, Mireuk-bul. There are no records regarding the exact date that Bukmireukam Hermitage was first founded. However, and according to the “Daedunsaji” which means “Records of Daedunsa” in English, “Master Ongok Yeongtak restored Bukam Hermitage in the Gapsul year of the Qianlong era,” which suggests that Bukmireukam Hermitage was restored in 1754. This same record also states that Jinjeong-guksa resided at Bukmireukam Hermitage between 1241 and 1252. Additionally, Jinjeong-guksa, who…

  • Jeollabuk-do

    Gwisinsa Temple – 귀신사 (Gimje, Jeollabuk-do)

    Temple History Gwisinsa Temple is located in eastern Gimje, Jeollabuk-do in the eastern foothills of Mt. Guseongsan (489.6 m). In fact, it’s not all that far from Geumsansa Temple. Gwisinsa Temple was first founded in 676 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). Originally, the temple was called Guksinsa Temple, and there were eight hermitages that surrounded the main temple. Later, the temple would be rebuilt by the monk Doyun during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). The scholar Choe Chiwon (857-10th century) would compile the “Biography of the Monk Fazang” at Gwisinsa Temple. The temple was later restored by the monk Wonmyeong-guksa (1090-1141) during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). During the…