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Yeonhosa Temple – 연호사 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yeonhosa Temple is located along the Hwanggang River in southern Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple was first built in 643 A.D. by the monk Wau-seonsa, who built the temple to pacify the spirits of King Muyeol of Silla’s son-in-law Kim Pum-seok (?-642 A.D.), his wife, their children, and thousands of Silla soldiers. Kim and his soldiers died during the Battle of Daeyaseong Fortress (642 A.D.), which was part of a much larger engagement between the forces of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) and the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), which was known as the Battle of the Great Wilderness (642 A.D.). In total, two…
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Moeunam Hermitage – 모은암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Moeunam Hermitage is located on the western slopes of Mt. Mucheoksan (702.5 m) in northern Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple’s founding is linked to two legends. One legend suggests that King Geodeung of Geumgwan Gaya, who was the second king of Geumgwan Gaya (43–532 A.D.), built Moeunam Hermitage to honour his mother, Queen Heo Hwang-ok (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.). The other foundational legend, which is found in the “Sungseonjeonji,” claims that King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (? – 199 A.D.), who was the founding king of Geumgwan Gaya, established the temple as a memorial temple to pay tribute to his mother. Of the two, however, it would seem…
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Geumbongam Hermitage – 금봉암 (Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Geumbongam Hermitage is located to the south of Mt. Sambongsan (1,255 m) in northern Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do. The mountain is also known as “Little Geumgangsan” because its landscape is said to resemble one of the peaks of Mt. Geumgangsan. As for the name of the hermitage, it doesn’t mean “Golden Peak Hermitage;” instead, and if one looks at the Chinese characters of the hermitage name (金鳳庵), it means “Golden Phoenix Hermitage” in English. The name of the hermitage is derived from the idea of the phoenix being a symbol of auspiciousness. In particular, Geumbongam Hermitage is believed to represent the place where only the mythical golden phoenix would rest,…
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Hoguksa Temple – 호국사 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Hoguksa Temple is located inside the walls of Jinju Fortress, which is a Historic Site, near the Jinju National Museum in Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do. The name of the temple means “Protection of Nation Temple” in English. The city of Jinju used to be a military base that helped oppose the Japanese military forces in the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). It helped prevent the enemy from entering into Jeolla-do Province. During the Imjin War (1592-98), in 1592, about 3,800 soldiers under the command of General Kim Si-min (1554-1592) defeated about 30,000 Japanese soldiers at Jinju Fortress. Included in Gen. Kim’s army were monks who had trained at the temple. In…
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Hwabangsa Temple – 화방사 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Hwabangsa Temple is situated in the northern part of Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, and it looks out towards the South Sea. To the north, you’ll find Mt. Sambongsan (422.1 m); and to the south, you’ll find Mt. Mangunsan (784.9 m). Of the two, Hwabangsa Temple is located on Mt. Mangunsan. It’s believed that Hwabangsa Temple was first built during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). In fact, Hwabangsa Temple was first established during the reign of King Sinmun of Silla (r. 681–692). The temple was first established by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) after he built Bogwangsa Temple on Mt. Geumsan. Bogwangsa Temple is now known as Boriam Hermitage. When…
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Yongchusa Temple – 용추사 (Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yongchusa Temple is located up a long valley in northern Hamyang, Gyeongsangnam-do. The name of the temple, Yongchusa Temple, means “Dragon Pool Temple” in English. The temple was first founded in 487 A.D. by the monk Gakyeon-daesa, and it was originally known as Yongchuam Hermitage. It was built with the instruction to “practice and teach with a steadfast heart.” Yongchuam Hermitage was one of ten hermitages directly associated with Jangsusa Temple, which was located to the north. During the late Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the monk Muhak (1327-1405) renovated the temple and used it as a place of worship. In 1680, and during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Yongchusa Temple…
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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…