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Wongaksa Temple – 원각사 (Dong-gu, Gwangju)
Temple History Wongaksa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Gwangju in the eastern part of the city. Wongaksa Temple was first founded in April, 1914 by the monk Geumbong Girim, who was from Seonamsa Temple. Wongaksa Temple was founded as a propagation centre in Gwangju for Seonamsa Temple. In the fall of 1939, the temple was renovated and expanded. In 1944, Kim Yeong-su, who was then the abbot of Seonamsa Temple, erected a monument entitled “Song-eun Yi Gong Gyu-seok and Park Shi Daedeokhwa Devotion Memorial Monument,” which was to commemorate the founding and history of Wongaksa Temple. For unknown reasons, and on December 19th, 1973, the temple was registered under the…
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Geumsansa Temple – 금산사 (Sinan, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Geumsansa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the more famous temple with the same name in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, is located on Aphae-do Island in Sinan, Jeollanam-do in the south-western foothills of Mt. Geumsan (101.3 m). In fact, Geumsansa Temple is the only Buddhist temple on the island. According to the “Geumsansa-seo,” or “Introduction to Geumsansa Temple,” the temple was first founded in 1904 by three local residents. In 1981, the temple underwent a restoration. And in 1993, the temple was rebuilt. On July 27th, 1988, Geumsansa Temple was designated as a traditional temple. As a result, Geumsansa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.…
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Dalseongsa Temple – 달성사 (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Dalseongsa Temple is located on Mt. Yudalsan (229.5 m) in western Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. Dalseongsa Temple was first established on April 8th, 1913 by the Buddhist monk No Dae-ryeon of Daeheungsa Temple. Dalseongsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. A stone pagoda engraved with the names of those that contributed to the temple’s founding stands on the temple grounds, alongside a monument for the monk No Dae-ryeon. Additionally, and on the west side of the Geukrakbo-jeon Hall, there’s a well called Okjeong. It’s said that the monk No Dae-ryeon began digging it during a 100-day prayer service in 1923 and spring water rose from…
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Bulgapsa Temple – 불갑사 (Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Bulgapsa Temple is located in southern Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do in the northwestern foothills of Mt. Bulgapsan (516 m). The exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown; however there is one legend that suggests that Bulgapsa Temple was first founded in 384 A.D. by the monk Haengsa-jonja, who was also known as Marananta (fl. late 4th century). Also according to this legend, Marananta established three temples: Bulgapsa Temple, Dogapsa Temple, and Bonggapsa Temple. Rather interestingly, Marananta is credited with introducing Buddhism to Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) in 384 A.D. Reportedly, Marananta arrived on the Korean Peninsula at Beopseong-po Port, which means “Sacred Law Port” in English.…
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Former Dongbonwonsa Temple – 구 동본원사 (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History The Former Dongbonwonsa Temple is located in downtown Mokpo, Jeollanam-do near the Mokpo Port to the south and Mt. Yudalsan (229.5 m) to the west. Known officially as the Jinjong Daegokha Dongbonwonsa Temple, it was the first Japanese Buddhist temple established in Mokpo. Following the division of Japan’s Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land School) during the Edo Period (1603–1868) into East and West branches, Dongbonwon (Higashi Hongan-ji) became affiliated with the Otani sect in 1873, while Nishi Hongan-ji was known as the Honpa (Jodo Shinshu). The Daegokha Otani sect espoused the belief that even those who had committed serious crimes could attain salvation. The Mokpo branch of Dongbonwonsa…
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Bukmireukam Hermitage – 북미륵암 (Haenam, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Bukmireukam Hermitage is located on the Daeheungsa Temple grounds to the west of Mt. Duryunsan (700 m) in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. The name of the hermitage means “North Mireuk-bul Hermitage” in English, which is a reference to the Future Buddha, Mireuk-bul. There are no records regarding the exact date that Bukmireukam Hermitage was first founded. However, and according to the “Daedunsaji” which means “Records of Daedunsa” in English, “Master Ongok Yeongtak restored Bukam Hermitage in the Gapsul year of the Qianlong era,” which suggests that Bukmireukam Hermitage was restored in 1754. This same record also states that Jinjeong-guksa resided at Bukmireukam Hermitage between 1241 and 1252. Additionally, Jinjeong-guksa, who…
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Cheonjaam Hermitage – 천자암 (Suncheon, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Cheonjaam Hermitage, which is located on the Songgwangsa Temple grounds in western Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, is situated near the peak of Mt. Cheonjaamsan (757.4 m) to the southwest. It’s believed that the hermitage was first established by Damdang-guksa (1226-1293), who was the ninth of sixteen “guksa” (national preceptors) from Songgwangsa Temple. Additionally, he was a prince of Goryeo (918-1392). After its founding, the monk Seolmuk reconstructed the hermitage in 1633. Later, it would be rebuilt, once more, this time by the monk Jiwon in 1730. In 1740, the Manse-ru Pavilion was built. In 1882, the Chilseong-gak Hall was built. And in 1939, the Geumdang Hall was built. Construction on…
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Geumgoksa Temple – 금곡사 (Gangjin, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Geumgoksa Temple is located in northern Gangjin, Jeollanam-do in the foothills of Mt. Ilbongsan (411.8 m). According to some, Geumgoksa Temple was first founded during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632 – 647 A.D.) by a Silla monk named Milbon. At this time, it’s believed that the temple was called Seongmunsa Temple. However, this story seems unlikely, as the land that Geumgoksa Temple is situated upon belonged to the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). So it doesn’t make a ton of sense that a Silla monk would travel to Baekje Kingdom land to found a Buddhist temple. Much later, and according to the…
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Wollamsa-ji Temple Site – 월남사지 (Gangjin, Jeollanam-do)
Temple Site History The Wollamsa-ji Temple Site is located in northern Gangjin, Jeollanam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Wolchulsan (810.7 m). In fact, it’s just over the hill from the famed Muwisa Temple. The history of this temple is largely unknown. According to a 16th century document, it was founded by the monk Hyesim (Jingak-guksa, 1178-1234), during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, recent excavations of the site in the 2010s revealed not only building sites, roof tile shards and celadon shards from the Goryeo Dynasty, but also roof tiles from the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). This suggests that the temple was founded during the Baekje Kingdom…
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Saseongam Hermitage – 사성암 (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Saseongam Hermitage is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do near the peak of Mt. Osan (530 m). This mountain is also known as Mt. Jarasan, which means “Mt. Terrapin” in English, because it closely resembles the shape of a soft-shelled turtle. As a result, Saseongam Hermitage enjoys a beautiful view of the surrounding area that includes the city of Gurye, the Seomjingang River, and Mt. Jirisan (1915 m) off in the distance. Recently, and because of this view, “Saseongam Hermitage and Surroundings” was named as Scenic Site #111 in 2014. It’s believed that Saseongam Hermitage was first built in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa; however, there are no records…