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Gukcheongsa Temple – 국청사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gukcheongsa Temple is located in the southern portion of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Gukcheongsa Temple is also just south of the Geumgjeongsan-seong Fortress southern walls. Gukcheongsa Temple was first built by Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). Little is known about the temple’s history until the Imjin War (1592-98), when the temple was used as a strategic military command post by the Righteous Army against Japanese invading forces. In 1703, the Geumjeongsan-seong Fortress was repaired; and with it, Gukcheongsa Temple was rebuilt, as well. More recently, the temple has undergone a lot of construction. In 1978, the Samseong-gak Hall…
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Gayasa Temple – 가야사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gayasa Temple is located in Busanjin-gu, Busan along the northern portion of Mt. Palgeumsan (236 m). In fact, the temple is located near downtown central Seomyeon; and with the right angle, you can get some great views of Seomyeon off in the distance. Gayasa Temple is a branch temple of Beomeosa Temple, and it belongs to the Jogye-jong Order, which is the largest Buddhist Order in Korea. The temple doesn’t have the longest of histories, especially when you compare it to a temple like Beomeosa Temple, which was first founded in 678 A.D. However, Gayasa Temple is over one hundred years of age. Temple Layout You first approach…
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Borimsa Temple – 보림사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Borimsa Temple is located in western Gijang-gun, Busan to the east of Mt. Jangnyeonsan (240.2 m). And in front of the temple grounds is where three rivers meet. Purportedly the mountains that surround Borimsa Temple are shaped like lotus flowers, while the mountain where Borimsa Temple is located looks like a turtle looking for water. In 1986, while monks at Haeinsa Temple were looking for a place to study, they found a site where three streams met and the mountain behind was shaped like a lotus flower. So not long after, they built Borimsa Temple. Thus, Borimsa Temple is a modern temple that belongs to the Jogye-jong Buddhist…
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Cheongnyangsa Temple – 청량사 (Gangseo-gu, Busan)
Temple History Cheongnyangsa Temple is located south of the Gimhae International Airport near the Nakdong River in Gangseo-gu, Busan. Purportedly, Cheongnyangsa Temple is located in one of the best locations in Korea for pungsu-jiri (geomancy, feng shui). Originally, the temple was nothing more than a village shrine dedicated to the village guardian, Dangsan (Village Guardian Spirit). Also, Cheongnyangsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Floods and landslides in 1864 and 1865 helped form the area where Cheongnyangsa Temple is currently located. More specifically, it’s said that when a natural disaster strikes Myeongji-dong, which is where the temple is located, people can hear the sound of…
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Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Wolbongsa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Busan to the south of Mt. Gubongsan (404.5 m). Additionally, Wolbongsa Temple is scenically located with the Port of Busan and the Namhang Bridge off in the distance. It’s unclear when Wolbongsa Temple was first constructed. Temple Layout You first arrive at Wolbongsa Temple through a network of old Busan houses. When you finally do arrive at the temple, you’ll notice that Wolbongsa Temple is beautifully perched atop a compact temple courtyard that overlooks the Port of Busan. In fact, if you look close enough, you’ll notice the Namhang Bridge off in the distance, as well. Stepping into the temple courtyard, the…
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Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Wonhyoam Hermitage is located to the south of Beomeosa Temple and to the east of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. It’s believed that Wonhyoam Hermitage was first established by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). After the hermitage’s founding, its history is unknown until it was rebuilt during the late Joseon Dynasty (1393-1910) like other hermitages located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds. Wonhyoam Hermitage was later re-opened in June, 1906. Wonhyoam Hermitage is home to five Busan Tangible Cultural Properties. They include the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda on the Western Side of Wonhyoam Hermitage,” which is Busan Tangible Cultural Property #11; the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda…
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Myogwaneumsa Temple – 묘관음사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Myogwaneumsa Temple is located just to the east of Mt. Daleumsan (588 m) and hugging the coastline of the East Sea in Gijang-gun, Busan. Myogwaneumsa Temple follows in the Buddhist tradition of Taego Bou (1301-1383). Myogwaneumsa Temple was founded in 1943 by the monk Unbong-seonsa, and it established itself as a training centre. Unbong-seonsa was a disciple of the famed monk Gyeongheo (1849–1912), and it was built to help sustain the Korean Buddhist tradition during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Myogwaneumsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Korean Buddhist temples. In total, Myogwaneumsa Temple is home to two Busan Treasures. They are the “Myogwaneumsa Temple Horse Hair Whisk”…
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Okryeonseonwon Temple – 옥련선원 (Suyeong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Okryeonseonwon Temple is located on the southeastern portion of Mt. Baeksan in Suyeong-gu, Busan. The Mt. Baeksan area of Busan was known as an area for local’s to worship, especially for the prosperity of their descendants. It was also known as a military area to protect the city from the Japanese. Although the exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown, it’s believed by some to have first been built by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) in 670 A.D. It’s also believed that Choe Chiwon (857–10th century) stayed at the temple in 910 A.D. Originally, the temple was called Baeksansa Temple. Eventually, the name of the temple would change to…
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Seongwangsa Temple – 선광사 (Sasang-gu, Busan)
Temple History Seongwangsa Temple is located in Sasang-gu, Busan in the western foothills of Mt. Baekyangsan (641.3 m). It’s unclear as to when the temple was first built, but it’s one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Also, it’s a temple that belongs to the Beophwa-jong Buddhist Order. Recently, Seongwangsa Temple changed its name from Yaksasa Temple to Seongwangsa Temple to differentiate it from the neighbouring Yaksuam Hermitage. In February, 2011, Seongwangsa Temple had a ceremony to enshrine the large Maae Buddha at the top of the temple grounds. Temple Layout You first make your way up a pretty treacherous road to get to Seongwangsa Temple. Eventually arriving…
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Geumsusa Temple – 금수사 (Dong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Geumsusa Temple, which means “Golden Water Temple” in English, is located in Dong-gu, Busan overlooking the port of Busan in the southern foothills of Mt. Gubongsan (404.5 m). Geumsusa Temple is most famous for being the headquarters of the Wonhyo Sect of Korean Buddhism. Also, it’s one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. At the end of the Imjin War (1592-98), and in 1604, Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610) went to Japan to negotiate the return of Korean prisoners of war. At that time, Samyeong-daesa stayed in Busan near the port. When he tasted the water there, he looked around the area and thought that it would be a…