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Sejinam Hermitage – 셰진암 (Geoje,Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Sejinam Hermitage is located in western Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Dongsan (141.7 m), which is where Oksangeum-seong Fortress is located. It’s also situated right next to the Bangokseowon Confucian Academy. It’s believed that Sejinam Hermitage was reconstructed in 1902. In addition, Japanese records indicate that “during the Daehan Empire [1897–1910], there was an ancient temple in Geoje-myeon.” It’s believed that this is a reference to Sejinam Hermitage. The hermitage was designated as one of the 982 traditional temples on June 10, 1988. As such, it was designated as Traditional Temple #14, which was the first traditional temple in Geoje. Throughout the years, the hermitage…
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Yeonggaksa Temple – 영각사 (Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yeonggaksa Temple is located in northern Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Namdeokyusan (1,507.4 m). The temple was first founded in 877 A.D. by the monk Simgwang-seonsa. Simgwang-seonsa was a disciple of Muyeom-guksa (801-888 A.D.), who was the founder of the Seongjusan Sect, which was part of the “Nine Mountain Schools,” or “Gusan” in Korean. During the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Yeonggaksa Temple fell into disrepair, but it was later rebuilt in 1449 by the monk Wongyeong-seonsa. After this, the temple underwent numerous restorations. Then in 1834, a fire completely destroyed the temple grounds except for the Hwaeom-jeon Hall. Over fifty years later,…
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Yeonsusa Temple – 연수사 (Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yeonsusa Temple is located to the west of Mt. Gamaksan (952.6 m) in southern Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do. There are a couple of legends connected to the founding of the temple. One legend states that Yeonsusa Temple was first founded in 802 A.D. by the monk Gamak-josa. Gamak-josa prepared large logs for the temple’s rafters on the southern side of the temple site. However, the logs mysteriously disappeared one night, and they were later discovered at the present-day location of the temple’s Daeung-jeon Hall. Believing this to be a sign, Gamak-josa decided to construct the temple at its current site. Yet another legend suggests that Gamak-josa originally built the temple…
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Chongmyeongsa Temple – 총명사 (Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Chongmyeongsa Temple is located in the western foothills of Mt. Mangsan (215.8 m) in eastern Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do. Chongmyeongsa Temple was first founded in 1913, but it was later moved during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-45) due to the construction of a Shinto shrine. Displaced, it was later relocated to the southwest of Jangseung Village. The temple was moved, once more, to its current location following the establishment of the “Geoje Island Aegwangwon Social Welfare Foundation.” As a result, the temple now overlooks the Jangseung Port from the east. In the early 1970s, with the establishment of a shipyard, more Buddhist devotees started to visit Chongmyeongsa Temple. In 1979,…
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Borimsa Temple – 보림사 (Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Borimsa Temple is located in central Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do. Borimsa Temple was first founded in 1912 by the monk Kim Dong-un, who was the abbot of Byeoksongsa Temple. This was following the wishes of the monk Yongseong-seonsa (1864-1940). The temple was first founded in a private house as a missionary centre. The original name of the temple is unknown. In 1929, six local temples that included Borimsa Temple, Yeongwonsa Temple, Beophwasa Temple, Silsangsa Temple, Yongchusa Temple and Byeoksongsa Temple banded together to found and operate a kindergarten as part of their missionary efforts. In 1970, the monk Jo Yeongsan took charge and renamed the temple Borimsa Temple. In 1971,…
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Beophwasa Temple – 법화사 (Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Beophwasa Temple is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (681.3 m) in southern Changnyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Purportedly, Beophwasa Temple was first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). However, the oldest surviving artifact on the temple grounds is the “Multi-Story Stone Pagoda of Beophwasa Temple, Changnyeong,” which dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Originally, Beophwasa Temple was one of nine hermitages directly associated with Borimsa Temple, which was once a large temple below the current Beophwasa Temple. Borimsa Temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-98). However, very little of Borimsa Temple exists today outside of some stone artifacts. Beophwasa Temple is mentioned…
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Injisa Temple – 인지사 (Haeundae-gu, Busan)
Temple History Injisa Temple, which means “Benevolent Wisdom Temple” in English, is located to the north of Mt. Jangsan (634 m) in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Injisa Temple, which is also known as Gwaneumjeongsa Temple, was first founded in 1984 on the former site of the Silla-era (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) hermitage known as Injiam Hermitage. This hermitage would later be known as Sinseonam Hermitage. It’s believed that Injiam Hermitage was first constructed around 700 A.D. The hermitage would eventually be abandoned during the 19th century. The temple was eventually incorporated into the Jogye-jong Order in 1986. It was at this time that the temple changed its name to that of…
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Undaeam Hermitage – 운대암 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Undaeam Hermitage is located to the north of Mt. Daebangsan (469.8 m) in northeastern Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do near the Okcheon-suwonji Reservoir. Undaeam Hermitage was originally founded as Mangyeongam Hermitage during the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Over time, it gained renown for its ability to grant wishes, where people believed that prayers offered in the morning would be answered by the evening. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the hermitage was renamed Undaeam Hermitage. For some time during the early Joseon Dynasty, Undaeam Hermitage was left abandoned after the abbot of the temple died after a fall. It wasn’t until the Imjin War (1592-98) that the temple was relocated to its…
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Baekryeonam Hermitage – 백련암 (Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baekryeonam Hermitage is located on the eastern slopes of Mt. Jigulsan (896.9 m) in northwestern Uiryeong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Baekryeonam Hermitage, which means “White Lotus Hermitage” in English, is said to have first been founded in 1317. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), it’s said that Gwak Jae-u (1552–1617), who was known as the “Red Robe General” and a military general in charge of part of the Righteous Army during the Imjin War (1592-98), studied at Baekryeonam Hermitage at the age of 16. Very little is known about the hermitage until 1893, when the monk Juseon rebuilt the hermitage. In more recent years, the hermitage has undergone numerous renovations including the…
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Geumjeongseonwon Temple – 금정선원 (Dongnae-gu, Busan)
Temple History Geumjeongseonwon Temple, which is also known as Geumjeongsa Temple, is located in Geumgang Park behind the Busan Marine Natural History Museum (부산해양자연사박물관) in Dongnae-gu, Busan. Geumjeongseonwon Temple was first founded in 1924 by the monk Gwon-u as a place for prayer. While there is no written record about the temple’s history before 1924, it’s believed that the site was once home to another temple in the past. The site of the location is also believed to have once been the location of the execution grounds of Dongnae-bu during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). As a result, it’s believed that the spirits of those that had been executed cry…