• Busan

    Mireuksa Temple – 미륵사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Temple History Mireuksa Temple, which is located in Geumjeong-gu, Busan, is indirectly named after the Future Buddha, Mireuk-bul. The reason that the temple is named after Mireuk-bul is because Mireuksa Temple is located under Mireuk-bong Peak (712m) on Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5m). And the reason that Mireuk-bong Peak gets the name it does is because it’s believed to resemble Mireuk-bul wearing a laureate. From this, it’s believed that Mireuk-bong Peak has given people spiritual energy throughout the centuries. The exact date of the temple’s construction is unknown. However, it’s believed by some that Mireuksa Temple, which was formerly known as Mireukam Hermitage, was founded by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.)…

  • Busan

    Samgwangsa Temple – 삼광사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)

    Temple History Samgwangsa Temple is situated on Mt. Baekyangsan (641.3m) in Busanjin-gu, Busan. Unlike the majority of temples in Korea like neighbouring Beomeosa Temple and Tongdosa Temple, Samgwangsa Temple doesn’t belong to the Jogye-jong Buddhist Order. Instead, it belongs to the third largest Buddhist Order in Korea: Cheontae-jong Order. The temple is a rather recent creation with it being built in 1983. Throughout the years, it has continued to grow with recent additions like the Myeongbu-jeon Hall and the Geukrak-jeon Hall on the upper hillside. Specifically, Samgwangsa Temple is dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. And Samgwangsa Temple is best known for its lantern festival that it hosts each…

  • Busan

    Seokbulsa Temple – 석불사 (Buk-gu, Busan)

    Temple History Seokbulsa Temple in Buk-gu, Busan means, “Stone Buddha Temple” in English. First constructed around 1930 by the monk Jo Ilhyeon, the temple was originally called Byeongpungam Hermitage, or “Folding Screen Hermitage” in English. The original name of the temple comes from its location. Situated between Mt. Geumjeongsan and Mt. Baekyangsan, the folds of the rocks that make up the grounds of the temple look like a tall Korean folding screen. However, with the creation of the twenty rock carvings that make the temple so beautiful and famous, the name of the temple changed to Seokbulsa Temple. These rock carvings are believed to date back to the 1960s. Temple…

  • Busan

    Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – 해동 용궁사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)

    Temple History Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which means “Korean Dragon Palace Temple” in English is a reference to Yongwang (The Dragon King) and the Yonggung (Dragon Palace) that he lives in under the sea. Located in coastal Gijang, Busan, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple has perhaps the most beautiful location for any temple in all of Korea. The temple was first constructed in 1376 by the monk Naong Hyegeun (1320-1376). The temple was built after Naong Hyegeun had a dream. The dream was about the Divine Sea god of the East Sea. During this dream, the Divine Sea god told Naong Hyegeun to build a temple on top of Mt. Bongnae. If Naong…

  • 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…

  • Busan,  Video

    Video: Samgwangsa Temple – 삼광사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Without a doubt, Samgwangsa Temple in Busan is the most colourful temple to visit in all of Korea during Buddha’s birthday. There are literally thousands of colourful paper lanterns and floats that take up residence in this centrally located temple in Busan. Belonging to the Cheontae-jong Order, Samgwangsa Temple was built in 1983. And it seems like every time I visit Samgwangsa Temple there’s a new building that’s popped up on the temple grounds. Things to look for at Samgwangsa Temple when you visit is the amazing main hall, the temple bell pavilion, and the thirty-three metre tall, nine story, stone pagoda with an outdoor stone shrine…

  • 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…

  • Busan,  Video

    Video: Hongbeopsa Temple – 홍법사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Hongbeopsa Temple is located in the northern part of Busan in Geumjeong-gu. The name of the temple, Hongbeopsa Temple, means “Spreading the Word of Buddhism Temple,” in English. The modern temple was first built in 2003 through the large donation of Domyeonghwa-bosal (a female lay devotee). The temple has a massive golden statue of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) on top of the main hall. And inside this statue of Amita-bul resides a sari (crystallized) remain of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). In addition to the main hall and the sari, the temple grounds are well-kept with ponds, trees, and a Dokseong/Sanshin-gak shaman shrine hall. Enjoy…

  • Busan,  Video

    Video: Sowonsa Temple – 소원사 (Gijang, Busan)

    Hello Again Everyone!! Sowonsa Temple, which is located in eastern part of Busan in Gijang. The temple was first built in 1950. The temple was purportedly built on the grounds where the famed monk, Wonhyo-daesa (617-686), once prayed. Sowonsa Temple means “Wish Temple,” in English. It’s definitely one of the more eccentric temples you’ll visit in Korea with a cluster of shrine halls, Koi ponds, and a large artificial pond to the rear of the grounds with a golden Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) overlooking the water. So enjoy the video and enjoy this rather peculiar temple in the second largest city of Korea: Busan. Enjoy!