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Seonsuam Hermitage – 선수암 (Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Hermitage History Seonsuam Hermitage is located on the Sudeoksa Temple grounds in Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Deoksungsan (495.2 m). The hermitage is also a nunnery for Buddhist nuns. Very little is known about the hermitage’s history. Hermitage Layout Just to the southwest of the main temple courtyard at Sudeoksa Temple, you’ll find Seonsuam Hermitage. As you first approach the entry to the hermitage, which is located just to the left of the Sacheonwangmun Gate for Sudeoksa Temple, you’ll notice a miniature replica of Dabo-tap Pagoda of Bulguksa Temple fame halfway up the pathway. Nestled under towering trees, the pagoda is an exact replica of the stone…
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Mujinam Hermitage – 무진암 (Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do)
Hermitage History Mujinam Hermitage is located in western Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Mansusan (575 m). Additionally, the Mujinam Hermitage is directly associated with Muryangsa Temple and located just to the south of the main temple. Like the neighbouring Muryangsa Temple, Mujinam Hermitage was first built during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) by Beomil-guksa (810-889 A.D.). Eventually, the hermitage would be destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-98) only to be rebuilt during the reign of King Injo of Joseon (r. 1623-1649). In more recent years, the hermitage has become a nunnery for Buddhist nuns. Hermitage Layout As you first approach the hermitage, you’ll be welcomed to the grounds…
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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.). 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 Baekje (r. 641-660 A.D.), a hong dokkebi, or “red goblin” in English,…
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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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Geumryongam Hermitage – 금룡암 (Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do)
Hermitage History Geumryongam Hermitage, which means “Golden Dragon Hermitage” in English, is located to the east of Sinwonsa Temple in Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do. It’s believed that the golden dragon that gives the hermitage its name inhabits the cascading stream on the eastern side of the hermitage grounds. Geumryongam Hermitage is one of five hermitages that’s located on the Sinwonsa Temple grounds. All of which are located in Gyeryongsan National Park. Unfortunately, very little is known about Geumryongam Hermitage. However, it does appear as though the hermitage buildings are post-Korean War (1950-1953). Overall, Geumryongam Hermitage exudes a lovely mixture of Buddhism and shamanism. Hermitage Layout You first make your way towards Geumryongam…
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Anguksa-ji Temple Site – 안국사지 (Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple Site History The Anguksa-ji Temple Site is located in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do to the east of Mt. Eunbongsan, which is also known as Mt. Anguksan. It’s believed that Anguksa Temple was first constructed sometime during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The temple was later destroyed sometime during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Later, it was rebuilt by the monk Yong-jun in 1929; however, the temple was closed not long after and has remained abandoned ever since. During a 2003 excavation conducted on the site, a roof tile was discovered with the writing “Taeping” written on it. “Taeping” is a reference to the named used during the reign of Emperor Shengzong (r. 982-1031)…
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Bowonsa-ji Temple Site – 보원사지 (Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple Site History The Bowonsa-ji Temple Site is located in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do in the village of Bowon to the south of Mt. Sangwangsan (309.5 m). The exact date as to when the temple was first built is unknown. However, it’s presumed to have first been built either at the end of Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) or the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Rather interestingly, the Gilt-Bronze Standing Buddha from the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) was discovered in 1968 at the temple site, and it’s now housed at the National Museum of Korea, which suggests that Bonwonsa Temple was first established during the Baekje Kingdom and not later. Rather…
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Cheonjangsa Temple – 천장사 (Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Cheonjangsa Temple is located in southern Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do on Mt. Yeonamsan (440.8 m). In English, Cheonjangsa Temple means “Hidden by Heaven Temple.” The reason for this name is that Cheonjangsa Temple is hidden so deeply in the mountain that both the sky and the earth can’t find the temple. Additionally, the temple is classified as Traditional Temple #42. Purportedly, Cheonjangsa Temple was first built in 633 A.D. by the monk Damhwa during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). However, there are no records or relics of the monk Damhwa. What is more likely is that Cheonjangsa Temple was first established some time during the Goryeo Dynasty…