• Beomeosa,  Busan,  Colonial Korea

    Colonial Korea – Beomeosa Temple

    Temple History Beomeosa Temple is located on the northeast side of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Beomeosa Temple means “Nirvana Fish Temple” in English. Beomeosa Temple was first established in 678 A.D. by the famed monk, and temple builder, Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). The temple was first established as one of the ten major temples of the Hwaeom School. These ten are known as Ten Monasteries of Hwaeom, or the Hwaeom Sipchal in Korean. The name of the temple is related to the location of Beomeosa Temple. Beomeosa Temple is located in the foothills of Mt. Geumjeongsan, which means “Golden Well Mountain” in English. The name of the mountain comes from…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan,  Templestay

    Templestay – Beomeosa Temple (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Introduction to Temple Beomeosa Temple is located on the northeastern foothills of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumgjong-gu, Busan. Beomeosa Temple was first founded in 678 A.D by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). In English, Beomeosa Temple means “Nirvana Fish Temple.” The name of the temple relates to the name of the mountain for which Beomeosa Temple is situated. Mt. Geumjeongsan means “Golden Well Mountain” in English. This comes from a myth that finds a golden fish descending down from the heavens on a five-coloured cloud. This golden fish played in a well on top of Mt. Geumjeongsan. It’s believed that this golden well never runs dry. Tragically, Beomeosa…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan

    Gyemyeongam Hermitage – 계명암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Hermitage History Gyemyeongam Hermitage is located in Geumjeong-gu, Busan on the Beomeosa Temple grounds. More specifically, it’s located to the northeast of Beomeosa Temple about midway up Gyemyeong-bong Peak (599.8 m), which is part of the Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) mountain range. Gyemyeongam Hermitage means “Rooster’s Crow Hermitage” in English. The exact date of the hermitage’s founding is unknown. However, it’s believed that the hermitage dates back to Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s believed that Gyemyeongam Hermitage gets its name from when Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) was searching for a temple site one night when he heard a rooster crow. Gyemyeongam Hermitage was reconstructed after 1592 after the Imjin War (1592-1598).…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan

    Geumgangam Hermitage – 금강암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Hermitage History Geumgangam Hermitage, which means “Diamond Hermitage” in English, is one of the more popular hermitages on the Beomeosa Temple grounds in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Although there is no way to confirm whether Geumgangam Hermitage existed before the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), there are records that show that it was constructed in 1803 by the monk Chuigyu-seonsa. Since its foundation, Geumgangam Hermitage has been reconstructed twice; first in 1863 and then again in 1899. More recently, and during the 1980’s, Geumgangam Hermitage, which was a smaller mountain hermitage, started to gradually gain in popularity. It’s from this popularity that the hermitage began to grow in both size and influence. Like…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan

    Cheongryeonam Hermitage – 청련암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Hermitage History Cheongryeonam Hermitage, which means “Blue Lotus Hermitage” in English, is located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Of the eleven hermitages on the expansive Beomeosa Temple grounds, Cheongryeonam Hermitage is the closest to the main temple. It’s unknown as to when Cheongryeonam Hermitage was first built; however, records indicated that the hermitage was rebuilt in 1709 by the monk Shinju-daesa. It’s believed that Cheongryeonam Hermitage was rebuilt around the same time as other hermitages at Beomeosa Temple. But Cheongryeonam Hermitage is perhaps best known for reviving Seonmudo (The Way of War for Seon), which is a type of Korean martial arts. Officially, Seonmudo is known as…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan

    Beomeosa Temple – 범어사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Temple History Beomeosa Temple is located on the northeast side of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Beomeosa Temple means “Nirvana Fish Temple,” in English. Beomeosa Temple was first established in 678 A.D. by the famed monk, and temple builder, Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). The temple was established as one of the ten major temple sites for the Avatamsaka School (Hwaeom School). The name of the temple relates to the name of the mountain for which Beomeosa Temple is situated. Mt. Geumjeongsan means “Golden Well Mountain,” in English. This comes from the myth that a golden fish descended down from the heavens on a five-coloured cloud and played in a well…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan,  Video

    Video: Cheongryeonam Hermitage – 청련암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds in northern Busan, Cheongryeonam Hermitage means “Blue Lotus Hermitage,” in English. Not only is the hermitage the home to the Buddhist martial art Seonmudo, but it’s also the home to the most elaborate outdoor shrine dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). This bronze coloured statue dedicated by Jijang-bosal is surrounded by equally elaborate statues dedicated the Ten Kings of the Underworld and a collection of Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities) and a row of granite zodiac generals. It’s really something else to see. Any trip to Beomeosa Temple almost demands a visit to Cheongryeonam Hermitage. So take the time and…

  • Beomeosa,  Busan,  Video

    Video: Beomeosa Temple – 범어사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Perhaps the most famous temple in Busan, Beomeosa Temple dates back to 678 A.D., when it was built by the famed monk and temple builder, Uisang-daesa (625-702). The temple is filled with about a dozen shrine halss that can be explored by visitors. The temple is filled with beautiful Buddhist artwork. Of note, look for the Iljumun Gate, the main hall, and the three-in-one shrine hall dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), The Palsang-jeon (which houses 8 murals depicting the Buddha’s life), and the Nahan-jeon (The hall dedicated to the historical disciples of the Buddha). It’s a one-off in Korea. So follow me around Beomeosa Temple as…