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Baekcheonsa Temple – 백천사 (Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Baekcheonsa Temple is located to the north of Mt. Waryongsan (797.6 m) in southern Sacheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s said that Baekcheonsa Temple was first established some 1,300 years ago during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r. 661–681 A.D.). Purportedly, the temple was first constructed by Uiseon-daesa, who was a disciple of Uisang-daesa (625-702). Records about Baekcheonsa Temple, including the “Jin-yangji,” state: “Baekcheonsa Temple was located on the western side of Mt. Waryongsan. The eastern valley flowing from Dosolam Hermitage…The western valley near the temple, flowing from Seonjeongam Hermitage, features scenic spots like Sesimjeong and Mugumdae. There were 16 waterwheels located in the upper and lower parts of…
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Gaseopam-ji Hermitage Site – 가섭암지 (Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage Site History The Gaseopam-ji Hermitage Site is located in Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do in Geumwonsan Natural Recreational Forest between Jirisan National Park to the south and Deogyusan National Park to the north. Mt. Geumwonsan (1,352.5 m), in fact, is located just to the west of the hermitage site. Before getting into the history of the hermitage site, there are a few rather interesting myths connected to Mt. Geumwonsan. According to one myth, there once lived a golden monkey, but he was so unruly that a monk had to restrain him under a rock. This rock was then called Natbawi, or Nabbawi, because it looked like a monkey’s face. According to another…
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Jigoksa Temple – 지곡사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Jigoksa Temple is located in southern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Gisan (616.1 m) near Simjeoksa Temple. It’s believed that Jigoksa Temple was first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), but historical records indicate that the temple was probably first established some time during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s believed that the temple was first founded by the monk Eungjin, and it was initially named Guktaesa Temple. After his death, the monk Hyewol renovated the temple and expanded it greatly during the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). During this time, the temple was renowned as one of the five great Seon temples.…
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Yeongguam Hermitage – 영구암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Yeongguam Hermitage is located on the Eunhasa Temple grounds in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s one of two hermitages directly associated with Eunhasa Temple, and it’s located to the west of the peak of Mt. Sinseosan (630.7 m). According to one legend, the hermitage was first founded by the monk Jangyu-hwasang, who was the brother of Queen Heo Hwang-ok (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.). Purportedly, Jangyu-hwasang first built the hermitage in 42 A.D., and it was later rebuilt in 509 A.D. However, it’s very difficult to verify either claim. The historical records of Yeongguam Hermitage during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) are unknown. However, there is the “Three-story Stone Pagoda of…
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Yulgoksa Temple – 율곡사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yulgoksa Temple is located in eastern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the the eastern foothills of Mt. Jeongsusan (829.8 m). Purportedly, Yulgoksa Temple was first founded in 651 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The temple would later be rebuilt in 930 A.D. by the monk Gamak. Almost nothing is known about the temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, there is an octagonal stone pedestal for a Buddha statue that’s situated in front of the temple’s Daeung-jeon Hall from the Goryeo Dynasty. Also, Yulgoksa Temple is mentioned in the Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Geographical Records of Korea), which was published during the reign of King Seongjong of Joseon…
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Daebeopsa Temple – 대법사 (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Daebeopsa Temple is located in western Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern foothills of Mt. Deokamsan (545.3 m). Originally, the temple was constructed in 668 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). Purportedly, while meditating, Uisang-daesa saw three cranes flying in the sky. Eventually, they would land in an area where the future Daebeopsa Temple would be built. At this time, he built a small hermitage and named it Baekhaam Hermitage. Originally, Baekhaam Hermitage was located near the future birthplace of Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610), the warrior monk. In fact, Samyeong-daesa stayed at this very hermitage for about ten years of his life. Later, and after Samyeong-daesa died at Hongjeam…
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Seongjeonam Hermitage – 성전암 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History To the south of Mt. Baekisan (369 m) in eastern Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, you’ll find Seongjeonam Hermitage. The hermitage was first established in 879 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.). The construction of Seongjeonam Hermitage was based upon Doseon-guksa applying the principles of pungsu-jiri (geomancy, feng shui). Doseon-guksa believed that the vital energy from Mt. Baekdusan, flowing southward along the east coast, peaked at Mt. Samgaksan to the north and Mt. Yeohangsan to the south. Recognizing this location as an auspicious site for a great temple, Doseon-guksa built Seongjeonam Hermitage. The exact details of the hermitage’s history after its founding are unknown. It’s not until the Joseon…
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Simjeoksa Temple – 심적사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Simjeoksa Temple is located in southern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Gisan (616.1 m), which is just outside Jirisan National Park. Simjeoksa Temple was first founded in 929 A.D.; however, the founder of the temple is unknown. Nothing is known about the temple until it was rebuilt in 1610 by the monks Seolam, Iam, and Seolbong. Most of the temple’s history remains unrecorded. However, we do know that the temple was destroyed during the Korean War (1950-53). Restoration work started on the temple in 1976, this included the rebuilding of the Nahan-jeon Hall at Simjeoksa Temple. Temple Legend There is a legend connected to Simjeoksa…
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Janguisa Temple – 장의사 (Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Janguisa Temple is located on the eastern slopes of Mt. Munamsan (459.4 m) in eastern Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Janguisa Temple was first founded by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) in 642 A.D. After its founding, nothing is known about the temple’s history. In 1885, Janguisa Temple was destroyed by flooding. The temple was rebuilt in 1891 in its current location, which is lower on the mountain than its original location. The temple was rebuilt, once more, by the monk Hobong in 1920. And the temple we know today was rebuilt in the early 1960s. Janguisa Temple is home to one provincial treasure, it’s the “Goseong Janguisa Stone Gwanseeum-bosal…
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Pokpoam Hermitage – 폭포암 (Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Pokpoam Hermitage, which means “Waterfall Hermitage” in English, is situated to the south of Mt. Gujeolsan (564.5) in northeastern Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Pokpoam Hermitage is situated on the former temple grounds of Sadusa Temple. Sadusa Temple was used as a site for the manufacturing of arrows for the Righteous Army led by Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610). The temple was destroyed, when it was burned to the ground by the invading Japanese army during the Imjin War (1592-98). The temple would remain abandoned until 1981, when the monk Hyeongak came to Goseong to pray for one hundred days. It was around this time that tiles and the foundation for the former Sadusa…