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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…
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples in Korea with the exact same name, is located to the east of Mt. Jusan (310.4 m) in the western part of the city. Gwaneumsa Temple is named for the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. Gwaneumsa Temple in Goryeong was first founded in May 1911, during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Originally, the temple was known as “Haeinsa Branch Temple, Goryeong Missionary Temple.” The founding abbot of the temple was Bak Bodam. The reason that the temple was originally built was to help local residents that wanted to practice Buddhism, so the missionary temple was…
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Banryongsa Temple – 반룡사 (Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Banryongsa Temple (or Ballyongsa Temple) is located to the east of Mt. Misungsan (755 m) in western Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This Banryongsa Temple shouldn’t be confused with the one in neighbouring Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Banryongsa Temple means “Curled/Coiled Dragon Temple” in English. Banryongsa Temple is named after the belief that the temple was built on the site imbued with the mystical energy of a divine dragon by the descendants of Daegaya. As for when the temple was first established, one theory claims that the temple was first established in 802 A.D. around the same time as Haeinsa Temple. According to the “Banryongsa Temple Record” in the “Historical Records of Joseon…
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Byeoksongsa Temple – 벽송사 (Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Byeoksongsa Temple is located in southern Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern portion of Jirisan National Park. The name of the temple means “Green Pines Temple” in English. It’s believed that the temple was first founded during the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple was constructed under the guidance of the monk Byeoksong-jieom-daesa (1464-1534). And it’s from this monk that the temple gets its name. Byeoksongsa Temple became known for its ties to Seon Buddhism. During the Joseon Dynasty, Byeoksongsa Temple became a centre for the study of Seon Buddhism. Many notable monks practiced at Byeoksongsa Temple including Seosan-daesa (1520 – 1604). Of the monks that practiced at Byeoksongsa…
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Yeonhosa Temple – 연호사 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yeonhosa Temple is located along the Hwanggang River in southern Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple was first built in 643 A.D. by the monk Wau-seonsa, who built the temple to pacify the spirits of King Muyeol of Silla’s son-in-law Kim Pum-seok (?-642 A.D.), his wife, their children, and thousands of Silla soldiers. Kim and his soldiers died during the Battle of Daeyaseong Fortress (642 A.D.), which was part of a much larger engagement between the forces of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) and the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), which was known as the Battle of the Great Wilderness (642 A.D.). In total, two…