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Bokcheonsa Temple – 복천사 (Yeongdo-gu, Busan)
Temple History Bokcheonsa Temple is located in Yeongdo-gu, Busan on the west side of Mt. Bongraesan (396.2 m). According to tradition, it’s believed that Bokcheonsa Temple was founded by the monk Naong Hyegeun (1320-1376) at the end of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, the exact date of the temple’s founding remains unknown. At the time of its founding, Bokcheonsa Temple was known as Haeunam Hermitage. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Yeong-do Island was known as Jeolyeong-do Island. It was at this time that the island was closed off to the general public for a couple of reasons. First, it was to protect the land from Japanese pirates. Secondly, the land…
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Sounsa Temple – 서운사 (Yongbyon, Pyonganbuk-to, North Korea)
Temple History Sounsa Temple [Seounsa Temple] is located in Yongbyon, Pyonganbuk-to, North Korea on Mt. Yaksan. And for some of this article, it should be noted, that the spelling of North Korean places will use the North Korean style of spelling. According to the “Sounsa Hyangbuldabbi,” the temple was first founded in 1345. As for the name of the temple, the reason that it was named Sounsa Temple [Seounsa Temple] is because it was always cloudy in the area around the temple. The current temple shrine halls at Sounsa Temple [Seounsa Temple] date back to 1654. And they were rebuilt in 1678 and 1756. Until recently, Sounsa Temple consisted of…
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Gulamsa Temple – 굴암사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History Gulamsa Temple is located in the far western part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun on Mt. Hwajangsan (271.6 m). Purportedly, the temple was founded by the monk Dohwa-doin during the reign of King Soji of Silla (r. 479-500 A.D.). However, after its founding, very little is known about the temple. What is known is that it was rebuilt in 1966 by An Seok-beom of Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Currently, Gulamsa Temple belongs to the Taego-jong Order, which is the second largest Buddhist order in Korea. As for the founding of the temple, there’s an interesting little legend that goes along with it. According to this legend, King Soji…
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Chonjusa Temple – 천주사 (Yongbyon, Pyonganbuk-to, North Korea)
Temple History Chonjusa Temple [Cheonjusa Temple] is located on the southern slopes of Mt. Yaksan in Yongbyon, Pyonganbuk-to, North Korea. And for some of this article, it should be noted, that the spelling of North Korean places will use the North Korean style of spelling. The location of the Chonjusa Temple has long been considered one of the Eight Scenic Views of Gwanseo. The present Chonjusa Temple was founded in 1684, while rebuilding the inner fortress on Mt. Buksan. However, it’s believed that Chonjusa Temple existed before 1684, but it fell into disrepair. Chonjusa Temple was then later rebuilt in 1722. While once larger in size, the temple now only…
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Jingwangsa Temple – 진광사 (Gyeongju)
Temple History Jingwangsa Temple is located in eastern Gyeongju near the East Sea and the famous the Gameunsa-ji Temple Site. Unlike the majority of Korean Buddhist temples that fall under one of three main Buddhist orders – the Jogye-jong Order, the Taego-jong Order, and the Cheontae-jong Order – Jingwangsa Temple belongs to the Jodong-jong Order. The Jodong-jong Order is a transliteration of the Caodong school. It is one of the 27 Korean Buddhist sects and orders, and it was first founded in May, 1989. The Jodong-jong Order is headquartered out of Cheongryongsa Temple in Jongno-gu, Seoul. In this form of Buddhism, Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) is the central Buddha of…
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Sinheungsa Temple – 신흥사 (Buk-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Sinheungsa Temple is located in Buk-gu, Ulsan. The temple was first founded in 635 A.D. by the monk Myeongrang-beopsa. The temple was built in the hopes of peace. Originally, the temple was named Geonheungsa Temple. According to temple records, the temple helped train one hundred monks in 678 A.D. Sinheungsa Temple also played a part in the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple sent three hundred bags of rice and warrior monks that joined the Righteous Army in the defence of the Korean peninsula. Unfortunately, because of the role it played in defending Korea, Sinheungsa Temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese. The temple was later rebuilt in 1646…
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Yujomsa Temple – 유점사 (Kosan, Kangwon-to, North Korea)
Temple Myth This temple post is a little different than others in that the temple no longer exists. However, because of its historical significance, and with it being in North Korea, I decided to do a post on it. And it should be noted, before I get too far ahead of myself, that this article will largely use the North Korean spelling of locations. Now, with all that being said, Yujomsa Temple [Yujeomsa Temple] has one of the more interesting temple myths associated with it. Rather strangely, and according to “Saji,” a historical document, Yujomsa Temple [Yujeomsa Temple] was first founded in 4 A.D., which is rather odd since Buddhism…
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Daedunsa Temple – 대둔사 (Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Daedunsa Temple is located on the northeastern side of Mt. Bokusan (508 m) in northern Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Daedunsa Temple is one of the earliest temples to have been established in Korea that’s still in existence. The temple was founded in 446 A.D. by the monk Ado, who may or may not be the same Ado that founded Jikjisa Temple. In 1231, Daedunsa Temple was completely destroyed by fire by the invading Mongols during the Mongol Invasions of Korea (1231-1270). The temple would be rebuilt during the reign of King Chungnyeol of Goryeo (r. 1274-1308). In fact, the temple was rebuilt by Wangsogun, who was the eldest son of…
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Simwonsa Temple – 심원사 (Yontan, Hwanghaebuk-to, North Korea)
Temple History Simwonsa Temple is located in Yontan-gu, Hwanghaebuk-to, North Korea. And the temple contains the fourth oldest wooden structure, the Pogwang-jeon Hall [Bogwang-jeon Hall] in North Korea. It should be noted that some of the spelling in this post will be based on North Korean spelling. The Pogwang-jeon Hall dates back to 1374, which makes it two years older than the Muryangsu-jeon Hall at Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do and one year older than the Yeongsan-jeon Hall at Geojosa Temple in Yeongcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The exact date of the founding of Simwonsa Temple is unknown; however, it has been claimed that Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) founded Simwonsa Temple. Later, and after…
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Eunsusa Temple – 은수사 (Jinan, Jeollabuk-do)
Temple History Eunsusa Temple, which means “Silver Water Temple” in English, is located in Maisan Provincial Park on the ridge above Tapsa Temple in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do. The temple was first called Sangwonsa Temple during the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Sangwonsa Temple would fall into disrepair and a hermitage was built on the temple’s former grounds. This hermitage would be named Jeongmyeongam Hermitage. The current name of the temple, Eunsusa Temple, and according to legend, was made when King Taejo of Joseon (r. 1392-1398) visited the temple. After he made the comment that the water flowing nearby was as clean and smooth as pure silver, the temple would…