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Five-Story Stone Pagoda in Wanggung-ri – 익산 왕궁리 오층석탑 (Iksan, Jeollabuk-do)
Temple Site History The Five-Story Stone Pagoda in Wanggung-ri is located in northeastern Iksan, Jeollabuk-do in the the Archaeological Site in Wanggung-ri, which is a Historic Site. It is unknown as to when this pagoda was first built, whether it was during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.), or during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.), or during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, what is known is that the pagoda was created in the typical Baekje Kingdom style. From 1965-66, the Five-Story Stone Pagoda in Wanggung-ri was dissembled and reassembled. Prior to this, the base of the pagoda was buried in the ground. In total, the large pagoda consists of…
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Colonial Korea – Tongdosa Temple
Temple History Tongdosa Temple, which is located in northern Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the largest temple in all of Korea with nineteen hermitages spread throughout its vast grounds. Tongdosa Temple means “Passing Through to Enlightenment Temple” in English. Tongdosa Temple was first founded in 646 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.). According to the “Tongdosa-sarigasa-sajeok-yannok,” the temple site was originally a large pond, but it was covered over by landfill so as to allow for Tongdosa Temple to be built. Also, and according to the “Tongdosa-yakji,” the name of Mt. Yeongchuksan, which is where Tongdosa Temple is located, was named after the mountain in India where the Historical Buddha (Seokgamoni-bul) gave his…
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Manghaesa-ji Temple Site – 망해사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History Manghaesa Temple is located in the western part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchwisan (352.1 m). It’s believed that the original temple, Manghaesa Temple (Sea-Viewing Temple), which also now acts as a former temple site in part, was first founded some time during the reign of King Heongang of Silla (r. 875-886 A.D.). The reason for this belief is that the temple appears in the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) in Book 2: “Wonder (Unified Silla),” Chapter 49: “The Song of Cheoyong and the Sea-Viewing Temple.” Originally, it seems, the temple was called Sinbangsa Temple. Unfortunately, there is no history…
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Jeongnimsa-ji Temple Site – 정림사지 (Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple Site History The Jeongnimsa-ji Temple Site is located in central Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do. The Jeongnimsa-ji Temple Site was located at the centre of Sabi (modern-day Buyeo), when the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) capital moved from Ungjin (modern-day Gongju) in the spring of 538 A.D. Sabi was the capital of the Baekje Kingdom from 538 to 660 A.D. until the fall of the kingdom. When the capital was moved, King Seong of Baekje (r. 523-554) had Sabi divided into five parts which included the north, south, east, west, and central part of the city. The royal Baekje palace was located in the northernmost part of the capital, while…
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Seongjusa-ji Temple Site – 성주사지 (Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple Site History The Seongjusa-ji Temple Site is located at the foot of Mt. Seongjusan (510.5 m) in eastern Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do. Seongjusa Temple was first built in and around 616 A.D. by order of King Mu of Baekje (r. 600-641 A.D.), and the name of the temple means “Sages Abode Temple” in English. When the temple was first established, it was named Ohapsa Temple. This was done to commemorate the Baekje Kingdom’s recent victory over Silla and to pray for the souls of fallen Baekje soldiers. The Samguk Sagi, or “History of the Three Kingdoms” in English, records that in 659 A.D., and during the reign of King Uija of…
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Jeongsusa Temple – 정수사 (Wanju, Jeollabuk-do)
Temple History Jeongsusa Temple is located in southern Wanju, Jeollabuk-do. The beautiful peaks of Mt. Mandeoksan (765.5 m) are located to the east of the temple grounds. Jeongsusa Temple was first founded in 889 A.D. by Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.). Originally, and according to historical texts from the late 18th century, Jeongsusa Temple was first called Jungam Hermitage. It was only later that the temple changed its name to Jeongsusa Temple because of the beauty and clean mountains and water that surround the temple. Jeongsusa Temple remained as a temple through the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). At some point, the temple fell into disrepair during the early part of the Joseon Dynasty…
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Namjangsa Temple – 남장사 (Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Namjangsa Temple is located in northwestern Sangju, Gyeongsangbuk-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Noeumsan (725.5 m). The temple was first established in 832 A.D. after the monk Jingam-seonsa (774-850 A.D.) returned from Tang China (618–690, 705–907 A.D.) in 830 A.D. At this time, when Jingam-seonsa first established the temple, it was known as Jangbaeksa Temple. The temple was reconstructed in 1186 by the monk Gakwon-hwasang and renamed Namjangsa Temple. In 1203, the Geumdang Hall was built, and it was rebuilt, once more, in 1473. Namjangsa Temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Afterwards, the temple was rebuilt by the monk Jeongsu. The Geumdang Hall was rebuilt…
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Banyasa Temple – 반야사 (Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Banyasa Temple is located in southeastern Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do. More specifically, the temple is located in the foothills of Mt. Tongbaeksan (303.7 m). The name of the temple, Banyasa Temple, means Prajñā in Sanskrit. In English, this word is often translated to mean “wisdom,” “intelligence,” “insight,” or “understanding.” Banyasa Temple is a modern temple that was formerly a limestone mine during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-1945). Remnants of this past can still be seen at the temple to this day if you look close enough. However, since Banyasa Temple is a modern temple, there is very little information out there about it even in Korean. Temple Layout From the temple…
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Daejosa Temple – 대조사 (Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Daejosa Temple is located in southern Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Seongheungsan (260.1 m). According to one source, the temple is believed to have first been founded in 527 A.D. by the monk Damhye. And according to the Buyeo Eupji, or Buyeo Township Annals in English, the temple was first founded by the monk Gyeomik. It’s unclear as to why the two records differ; but either way, the temple seems to have firmly been established in the early part of the 6th century. Daejosa Temple was reconstructed by the monk Jinjeon during the reign of King Wonjong of Goryeo (r. 1235-1259). And since then, it…
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Ansimsa Temple – 안심사 (Wanju, Jeollabuk-do)
Temple History Ansimsa Temple is located in Wanju, Jeollabuk-do on the southwestern foothills of Mt. Daedunsan (878.9 m). It was first established in 638 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.). It was later reconstructed by Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) in 875 A.D. And it was reconstructed, once more, by the monk Jo Go in the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Later, and in 1601 and 1710, the temple was expanded. In 1759, a stele was erected with the history of Ansimsa Temple on it. It was also at this time that the temple’s Ordination Platform of Ansimsa Temple was constructed. In Korea, this type of ordination platform is known as…