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Jirimsa Temple – 지림사 (Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Jirimsa Temple is located to the east of Mt. Hogolsan (283.4 m) in northern Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Historic records indicate that there was once a great temple called “Hanjeol” in Bukji-ri, Bonghwa during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). Purportedly, the main temple was surrounded by 27 smaller temples, where about 500 monks lived. There’s also a temple legend surrounding the founding of neighbouring Chukseosa Temple and Jirimsa Temple. According to this legend, the head monk at Jirimsa Temple saw an auspicious light emanating from the side of the mountain. The head monk then told Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) who was visiting Jirimsa Temple at the time. When…
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Daegoksa Temple – 대곡사 (Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Daegoksa Temple is located to the east of Mt. Bibongsan (579.3 m) in northwestern Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There are no specific records about when Daegoksa Temple was first founded; however, it’s generally assumed to have first been built in 1368 to honour the Indian monk Jigong (1289-1363) who traveled extensively for many years in parts of China (Yuan) and Korea (Goryeo) to help teach Buddhism. As a result, the temple was originally named Daeguksa Temple to commemorate the travels of Jigong to these two great countries. Originally, there were nine hermitages at the temple, as well. The temple and eight of the hermitages would later be destroyed in 1592…
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Juwolsa Temple – 주월사 (Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Juwolsa Temple is located in eastern Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the north of Mt. Dochiksan (257.8 m). It’s believed that the temple was first established during the reign of King Sinmun of Silla (r. 681-692 A.D.). It isn’t known exactly when Juwolsa Temple was first established. However, it’s believed that the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) first built the temple. The temple was later abandoned during the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple would be rebuilt in the 18th century. At this time, the temple was known as Juwolam Hermitage. It was finally promoted to a temple, Juwolsa Temple, in 1994, when repairs took place on…
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Gaemoksa Temple – 개목사 (Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Gaemoksa Temple is located near Bongjeongsa Temple in the southeastern foothills of Mt. Cheondeungsan (575.9 m) in northern Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The temple was first built during the early part of Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). The famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) built the temple during the reign of King Sinmun of Silla (r. 681-692). According to this legend, Uisang-daesa decided to build this temple after gaining enlightenment inside the neighbouring Cheongdeung-gul Cave, which is located directly behind the temple. Originally, the temple was called Heungguksa Temple, which means “Making the Country Thrive Temple” in English. During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), Jeong Mong-ju (1338-1392) studied at the temple. During the…
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Gyeongheungsa Temple – 경흥사 (Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Gyeongheungsa Temple is located in southern Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the northeast of Donghaksan (602.7 m). It’s believed by some that Gyeongheungsa Temple was first founded in 659 A.D. by the monk Hyegong-hwasang. But the evidence is rather thin to support this theory. Another theory states that Gyeongheungsa Temple was first founded in 1637. And later, the “Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Triad of Gyeongheungsa Temple” was enshrined at the temple in 1644. The temple would be rebuilt in 1719 and further rebuilt in 1897. In the 1990s, the “Wooden Seated Sakyamuni Buddha Triad of Gyeongheungsa Temple” was examined to reveal a written message on the clothing of Seokgamoni-bul (The…
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Bogwangsa Temple – 보광사 (Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History There are numerous Bogwangsa Temples in Korea, but this Bogwangsa Temple is located in Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the north of Mt. Bogwangsan (435.1 m). While there’s no clear evidence as to when Bogwangsa Temple was first founded, it’s believed to have been first established in 668 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). However, this date seems to be unreliable, as Uisang-daesa was still studying in Tang Dynasty China (618–690, 705–907 A.D.) until 671 A.D. According to the “Yeojidoseo,” or “Collected Chronicles and Maps, 1765” in English, “Bogwangsa Temple is located five li (two kilometres) south of the local administrative office. The temple is a guardian temple…
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Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Hwangsang-dong – 구미 황상동 마애여래입상 (Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
The History and Design of the Image The “Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Hwangsang-dong” is located in northeastern Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do hidden behind a row of factory buildings. These factories shield people from being able to see this high relief image of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) from the road. It’s presumed that this high relief carving of a standing Amita-bul was first made around the turn of Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) and Goryeo (918-1392) periods in the 10th century. The relief is carved on the southeastern surface of a huge rock cliff. The image measures an impressive 7.3 metres in height. In addition to both its age and height,…
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Yeonmisa Temple – 연미사 (Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Yeonmisa Temple, which means “Swallow Tail Temple” in English, is located in northern Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It’s believed that the temple was first founded in 634 A.D. by the monk Myeongdeok and then rebuilt twice. After its founding, very little is known about the temple’s history. During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the area that Yeonmisa Temple is located was a popular place for officials traveling in the area between provinces. This area is now known as Jebiwon. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the temple fell into disrepair. It was only later, and during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45), that Yeonmisa Temple was rebuilt in 1918. The temple was rebuilt on…
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Haeunsa Temple – 해운사 (Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Haeunsa Temple is located on the northern part of Mt. Geumosan (976.5 m) in western Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It’s believed that Haeunsa Temple was first founded by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (827-898 A.D.) at the end of Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). When the temple was first established, it was named Daehyeolsa Temple. During the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the Korean official-scholar Gil Jae (1353-1419) of the Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) hid in this area and planted bamboo. While hiding at the temple, he is said to have learned Taoism, as well. Sadly, and during the Imjin War (1592-98), all the buildings at the temple were destroyed.…
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Bongamsa Temple – 봉암사 (Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Bongamsa Temple is located to the south of Mt. Huiyangsan (996.4 m) in northwestern Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Bongamsa Temple was first founded in 879 A.D. by the monk Jijeung (824-882 A.D.), who was also known as Doheon-guksa. Bongamsa Temple was the main temple of the Huiyangsan School, which was one of the nine branches of Korean Seon Buddhism known as the “Seonjong Gusan – Nine Mountain Seon Sects.” These Seon sects were established at the end of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) and the start of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). It’s believed that the temple was named Bongamsa Temple in 881 A.D. by King Heongang of…