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Cheongnyangsa Temple – 청량사 (Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Cheongnyangsa Temple is located in eastern Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the east of Mt. Cheongnyangsan (869.7 m). As for the name of the mountain, Mt. Cheongnyangsa Temple, where the temple is located, it comes from China’s Huayan Ling Mountain. Another reference comes from the Avatamsaka Sutra (Hwaeom-gyeong), which states that the Pure Land of Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) lies to the east of Mt. Cheongnyangsan. Additionally, and according to pungsu-jiri (geomancy, Feng Shui), Cheongnyangsa Temple is located in one of the most auspicious locations. It’s located near twelve peaks known as “Yukyuk-bong” in Korean. As a result, these peaks are said to be formed like lotus petals around…
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Bomunsa Temple – 보문사 (Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Temple History Bomunsa Temple in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples in Korea with the exact same name, is located to the northwest of Mt. Bomunsan (642.5 m). Bomunsa Temple is believed to have first been founded in 676 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). However, there is very little evidence to support this claim. Instead, it’s more likely that one of Uisang-daesa’s disciples actually first founded Bomunsa Temple. Either way, it’s believed that Bomunsa Temple is the oldest temple in the city of Yecheon. During the mid-Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the famed monk Jinul (1158-1210), who was also known as Bojo-guksa, stayed…
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Seonghyeolsa Temple – 성혈사 (Yeongju, Gyeongasngbuk-do)
Temple History Seonghyeolsa Temple is located in the eastern confines of Sobaeksan National Park in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Seonghyeolsa Temple means “Sacred Cave Temple” in English. The temple is said to have first been founded by the monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). According to a temple legend, after Uisang-daesa founded the nearby Buseoksa Temple, he established Choamsa Temple on the site of the thatched hut (choam, 草庵) he built when he first visited Mt. Sobaeksan (1,439 m). However, the rafters to the roof of the thatched roof at Choamsa Temple kept disappearing, so Uisang-daesa went out to find them. He would eventually discover…
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples in Korea with the exact same name, is located to the east of Mt. Jusan (310.4 m) in the western part of the city. Gwaneumsa Temple is named for the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. Gwaneumsa Temple in Goryeong was first founded in May 1911, during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Originally, the temple was known as “Haeinsa Branch Temple, Goryeong Missionary Temple.” The founding abbot of the temple was Bak Bodam. The reason that the temple was originally built was to help local residents that wanted to practice Buddhism, so the missionary temple was…
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Banryongsa Temple – 반룡사 (Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Banryongsa Temple (or Ballyongsa Temple) is located to the east of Mt. Misungsan (755 m) in western Goryeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. This Banryongsa Temple shouldn’t be confused with the one in neighbouring Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Banryongsa Temple means “Curled/Coiled Dragon Temple” in English. Banryongsa Temple is named after the belief that the temple was built on the site imbued with the mystical energy of a divine dragon by the descendants of Daegaya. As for when the temple was first established, one theory claims that the temple was first established in 802 A.D. around the same time as Haeinsa Temple. According to the “Banryongsa Temple Record” in the “Historical Records of Joseon…
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Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Hermitage History Wonhyoam Hermitage, named after the famed Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.), is located in northern Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There are numerous hermitages named after the famed Korean monk, so it should be noted that this Wonhyoam Hermitage is also located in the southeastern foothills of Mt. Palgongsan (1,192 m). Additionally, this Wonhyoam Hermitage is directly associated with Eunhaesa Temple. It’s believed that this Wonhyoam Hermitage dates back to 668 A.D. In addition to being known as Wonhyoam Hermitage, it’s also known as Naengcheonsa Temple because of the spring water that always flows with cold water no matter the season. It’s also believed that this is where Wonhyo-daesa meditated, as well. Very…
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Ilchulam Hermitage – 일출암 (Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Hermitage History Ilchulam Hermitage, which is also known as the Ilchul-seonwon, is located just east of the airport in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do and south of Mt. Unjangsan (234 m). The name of the hermitage means “Sunrise Hermitage” in English. Originally, the temple was first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), however, very little is known about the temple’s history and the specific year that it was first established. In 1914, the hermitage was rebuilt by the monk Hyegwang, who was visiting Girimsa Temple in Gyeongju. After this, a Buddhist academy was established at the hermitage to help protect traditional Korean Buddhism, which was under siege during Japanese…
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Seonggulsa Temple – 성굴사 (Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Seonggulsa Temple is located in southern Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the northeast of Mt. Donghaksan (602.7 m). Formerly, the temple was known as Mansusa Temple. The temple, including the caves, seem to be modern in construction. Temple Layout You first approach Seonggulsa Temple up a long valley. On the eastern banks of the narrow stream is the eccentric Seonggulsa Temple. The first thing to greet you at the temple is a beautiful three metre tall stone statue dedicated to Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). To the left are numerous stone pagodas reminiscent of the ones at Tapsa Temple. In total, there are…
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Jukrimsa Temple – 죽림사 (Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Jukrimsa Temple in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the numerous other temples with the exact same name, is situated to the north of Mt. Namsan (851.7 m). It’s believed that Jukrimsa Temple was first founded in 610 A.D. by the monk Beopjeong. Initially, the temple was known as Hwanamsa Temple. Purportedly after Beopjeong founded Hwanamsa Temple, he travelled to Japan as directed by Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632-647 A.D.). As a result of his efforts, and upon his return to Silla, Beopjeong was rewarded with land next to Hwanamsa Temple. And because there was so much bamboo on this land, the name of the temple…
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Jinbulsa Temple – 진불사 (Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Jinbulsa Temple is located to the west of Mt. Gonggaesan (213.7 m) in eastern Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do near the East Sea. Jinbulsa Temple was purportedly first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). It’s said that it was later destroyed by a landslide during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). It would be rebuilt in 1912. Additionally, Jinbulsa Temple belongs to the Taego-jong Order, which is the second largest Buddhist sect in Korea. It’s also one of the 973 traditional temples in Korea. Temple Layout Jinbulsa Temple is a smaller sized temple with a peculiar feel to it. With only a handful of shrine halls, Jinbulsa Temple is…