Baekcheonsa Temple – 백천사 (Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)

Temple History
Baekcheonsa Temple is located to the north of Mt. Waryongsan (797.6 m) in southern Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s said that Baekcheonsa Temple was first established some 1,300 years ago during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r. 661–681 A.D.). Purportedly, the temple was first constructed by Uiseon-daesa, who was a disciple of Uisang-daesa (625-702).
Records about Baekcheonsa Temple, including the “Jin-yangji,” state: “Baekcheonsa Temple was located on the western side of Mt. Waryongsan. The eastern valley flowing from Dosolam Hermitage…The western valley near the temple, flowing from Seonjeongam Hermitage, features scenic spots like Sesimjeong and Mugumdae. There were 16 waterwheels located in the upper and lower parts of the valleys, but after the Japanese invasions of 1592 [The Imjin War, 1592-98] only 12 remained. Mungyeam Hermitage was also located about 10 ri [approximately 4 km] north of Baekcheonsa Temple.”
These records help situate the approximate location of the historic Baekcheonsa Temple, but they also provide a glimpse into the location surrounding the temple, as well. In fact, and rather interestingly, Baekundae, which is located near Baekcheonsa Temple, was a battlefield where the warrior monk Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610) led the Righteous Army to repel Japanese military forces during the Imjin War (1592-98).
As for the temple site remains, there are parts of walls used for the foundations of temple shrine halls in the vicinity of the newly constructed buildings. Also, broken tiles were found at the temple, as well.
The mountain where Baekcheonsa Temple is located, Mt. Waryongsan, is famous for the number of total temples that are housed on its slopes. According to the oral tradition of the area, Mt. Waryongsan once had as many as 80,090 temples and/or hermitages, which helps highlight the significance of the mountain and the area. More recently, Baekcheonsa Temple has undergone expansive reconstruction. In fact, the temple is thought to be a “place for the salvation of the nation,” or “gukuk doryang” in Korean.
Baekcheonsa Temple is home to five provincial treasures including the “Sacheon Baekcheonsa Seated Wooden Bodhisattva.” Also, Baekcheonsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional temples in Korea.
Temple Layout
Baekcheonsa Temple is a strangely oriented temple. There’s a lot to see, but it’s spread out. From the temple parking lot, you’ll notice a large, golden standing statue dedicated to Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) standing overtop a large, modern shrine hall known as the Mandeok-jeon Hall. This modern building is a three-story structure. The first story of the structure acts as the Geukrak-jeon Hall with a golden interior. The cavernous interior is fronted by a main altar triad centred by Amita-bul, who is joined on either side by large statues of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Power for Amita-bul). On either side of the main altar, you’ll find rows of memorial tablets for the dead. And hanging overhead are crystal chandeliers.
Mounting the stairs to the second story of the structure, you’ll first find a bronze incense burner. On either side of this incense burner, there are a set of stairs that lead past a large blue and red mural dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. Beyond this, and in an enclosure, you’ll find a central seated image of Amita-bul joined on either side by three standing images of Gwanseeum-bosal for a total of six. And inside the nonagon-shaped structure, and up near the ceiling, you’ll find various painted incarnations of Gwanseeum-bosal. These paintings are stunning.
Continuing upwards towards the third floor of the structure, and at the feet of the ten metre tall statue dedicated to Amita-bul, you’ll find a small shrine hall that houses the sari (crystalized remains) of the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). The sari is housed inside a large, golden reliquary with a magnifying glass at the front to better see the tiny sari.
Just to the southeast of the Mandeok-jeon Hall, and after making your way down all those stairs, you’ll find the Sanshin-gak Hall. Tucked away, and up a set of uneven stone stairs, you’ll find the shaman shrine hall among large pine trees. On the way up to the Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find a rudimentary stone statue dedicated to the Mountain Spirit. As for the exterior walls of the Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find murals of a tiger and white cranes. And to the rear of the Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find a few standing statues dedicated to Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities). Stepping inside the Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find a nearly cartoonish-looking image of the Mountain Spirit backed by a painting of himself.
Out in front of the Mandeok-jeon Hall and the Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find a large field of headstones of people who have paid to be buried at the temple. South of these headstones is the lower courtyard that houses the Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls to the main hall are adorned with simple paintings from the Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a robust triad of statues on the main altar centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) and flanked by images of Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power) and Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom). This triad is surrounded by smaller orangish-yellow statues of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. And hanging on the far right wall is a Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the Yongwang-dang Hall. The exterior walls are adorned with yellow and blue dragon murals, as well as a duck and lotus flower mural on the back wall of the shaman shrine hall. Stepping inside the Yongwang-dang Hall, you’ll find a regally-seated image of Yongwang (The Dragon King) joined by two dongja (attendants) and a blue dragon.
Up a set of stairs, and hovering overtop of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the impressive Obangbul-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned with rows of the same smaller orangish-yellow statues of various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas found inside the main hall. And if you look up near the roof of the structure, you’ll find two dragons looking upward towards a flaming wisdom pearl and outlined by golden trim. Stepping inside the Obangbul-jeon Hall, you’ll find an amazing five-sided statue on the main altar. The upper portion of the statue is crowned by five fierce dragons. Below this, you’ll find the five-sided image of Buddhas that include Birojana-bul (The Buddha of Cosmic Energy, centre), Akshobhya (Kor. Achok-bul, east), Ratnasambhava (Kor. Bosaeng-bul, south), Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise, west), and Amoghasiddhi (Kor. Bulgongseongchwi-bul, north). All five are elevated by a lotus base with images from the life cycle from birth to death that include a mother and her child. In front of the lotus base, and below the five-sided image of the Buddhas, you’ll find twelve images of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) joined by the Sibiji-shin (The Twelve Spirit Generals). And in front of these twelve base statues, you’ll see images of golden frogs and miniature golden bronze bells. The base is joined by an interconnecting multi-coloured rope. The entire interior is bathed in this beautiful orangish-golden light.
Finally, and to the south of this structure, you’ll find the Yaksa-wabul-jeon Hall. The exterior walls to this shrine hall are adorned in simple dancheong colours, and they in no way prepare you for the interior of the shrine hall. Stepping inside the Yaksa-wabul-jeon Hall, you’ll find a large reclining image of the Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). The Buddha is cloaked in a golden robe. From his feet, you can actually enter this large statue. The front of the interior of the statue is adorned with reliefs of the Geumgang-yeoksa (Vajra Warriors). Further in, and you’ll find even more guardian reliefs protecting the interior. Finally at the far end, which is located inside the head of the Buddha, is the main altar. The main altar is centred by Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha), who is joined either side by two standing images of Ilgwang-bosal (The Sunlight Bodhisattva) and Wolgwang-bosal (The Moonlight Bodhisattva).
Stepping outside the Yaksa-wabul-jeon Hall, you’ll find four images of Gwanseeum-bosal to the left rear. Of the four, the front image of Gwanseeum-bosal is golden and a multi-armed and headed. The three rear images of Gwanseeum-bosal are made of stone with two of these three images standing atop large, stone cairns.
To the right rear of the Yaksa-wabul-jeon Hall, you’ll find an outdoor shrine dedicated to a large, golden image of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). This large statue is fronted by stone statues by a pair lions and seokdeung (stone lanterns).
How To Get There
There’s no bus that goes directly to Baekcheonsa Temple. The closest you can get to the temple is Bus #110 from the Sacheon Intercity Bus Terminal. You’ll need to take this bus for 25 stops, or 41 minutes, and get off at the “Bokjigwan – 복지관 하차” bus stop. From this bus stop, you’ll need to hike 3.2 km, or about an hour, to get to Baekcheonsa Temple. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to head east towards the “Deokgokjeo-suji – 덕곡저수지” reservoir. As you go, follow the signs.
And if public transportation and a 3.2 km hike isn’t your thing, you can take a taxi from the Sacheon Intercity Bus Terminal. However, it’ll cost you around 18,000 won (one way) over the 15 km, or the 23 minutes distance.
Overall Rating: 8/10
There are a lot of unique features at Baekcheonsa Temple in Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. For one, Baekcheonsa Temple is only one of two traditional temples in the city of Sacheon alongside Dasolsa Temple. In addition to this, things to look for at Baecheonsa Temple is the five-sided Buddhas statue inside the Obangbul-jeon Hall, the reclining Buddha inside the Yaksa-wabul-jeon Hall, the sari of the Buddha at the top of the Mandeok-jeon Hall, the beautiful interior of the second story structure of the Mandeok-jeon Hall, and the cartoon-like image of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) inside the Sanshin-gak Hall. Baekcheonsa Temple has a lot to see and experience, so take your time and see it all.



















