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Ganwolsa-ji Temple Site – 간월사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History The Ganwolsa-ji Temple Site is located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan in the eastern foothills of Mt. Ganwolsan (1,069.1 m) up a long valley. It’s believed that the original Ganwolsa Temple was first built by Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.) during the reign of Queen Jindeok of Silla (r. 647-654 A.D.). Later, the temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese during the Imjin War (1592-1598) in 1592. Ganwolsa Temple would eventually be rebuilt in 1634 during the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple would last until 1836, when it seems as though the temple was abandoned after a large crop failure in the area and subsequent famine according to the Eonyang-hyeon Hojeokdaejang,…
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Cheongsongsa-ji Temple Site – 청송사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History The Cheongsongsa-ji Temple Site is located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan between Mt. Munsusan (600.1 m) to the north and Mt. Namansan (544.3 m) to the south. Rather interestingly, the Cheongsongsa-ji Temple Site is also a current and active temple named Cheongsongsa Temple. Cheongsongsa Temple was first built during the reign of King Hyoso of Silla (r. 692-702 A.D.). At the time of its original construction, Cheongsongsa Temple was quite a large temple that was equivalent to the size of a small village where the temple is currently situated. It’s assumed that the temple was closed in the mid to late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The reason for this belief…
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Manghaesa-ji Temple Site – 망해사지 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Site History Manghaesa Temple is located in the western part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchwisan (352.1 m). It’s believed that the original temple, Manghaesa Temple (Sea-Viewing Temple), which also now acts as a former temple site in part, was first founded some time during the reign of King Heongang of Silla (r. 875-886 A.D.). The reason for this belief is that the temple appears in the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) in Book 2: “Wonder (Unified Silla),” Chapter 49: “The Song of Cheoyong and the Sea-Viewing Temple.” Originally, it seems, the temple was called Sinbangsa Temple. Unfortunately, there is no history…
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Gulamsa Temple – 굴암사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History Gulamsa Temple is located in the far western part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun on Mt. Hwajangsan (271.6 m). Purportedly, the temple was founded by the monk Dohwa-doin during the reign of King Soji of Silla (r. 479-500 A.D.). However, after its founding, very little is known about the temple. What is known is that it was rebuilt in 1966 by An Seok-beom of Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Currently, Gulamsa Temple belongs to the Taego-jong Order, which is the second largest Buddhist order in Korea. As for the founding of the temple, there’s an interesting little legend that goes along with it. According to this legend, King Soji…
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Sinheungsa Temple – 신흥사 (Buk-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Sinheungsa Temple is located in Buk-gu, Ulsan. The temple was first founded in 635 A.D. by the monk Myeongrang-beopsa. The temple was built in the hopes of peace. Originally, the temple was named Geonheungsa Temple. According to temple records, the temple helped train one hundred monks in 678 A.D. Sinheungsa Temple also played a part in the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple sent three hundred bags of rice and warrior monks that joined the Righteous Army in the defence of the Korean peninsula. Unfortunately, because of the role it played in defending Korea, Sinheungsa Temple was destroyed by the invading Japanese. The temple was later rebuilt in 1646…
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Sujeongsa Temple – 수정사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History Sujeongsa Temple is a modern temple that’s home to nuns. It’s located in the northwest part of Ulsan in Ulju-gun down a long valley. Sujeongsa Temple is also just some twenty minutes away from the famed Tongdosa Temple. Sujeongsa Temple is located in a very rural part of Korea; in fact, it almost feels like you fall off the edge of the map. But in the process of retreating from the sights and sounds of modern Korea, you find a beautiful Buddhist temple. Temple Layout You first approach Sujeongsa Temple up a narrow road down a long valley. After three kilometres, you’ll finally arrive at the Sujeongsa Temple…
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Munsusa Temple – 문수사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History This Munsusa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples and hermitages with the same name on the Korean peninsula, is located in Ulju-gun, Ulsan on Mt. Munsusan (600.1 m). Originally, this mountain was called Mt. Yeongchuisan and Mt. Cheongnyangsan during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) and the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), but later it was changed to Mt. Munsusan because people believed that Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) lived in this beautiful location. And much like the mountain, Munsusa Temple gets its name from Munsu-bosal. Munsusa Temple is said to have been founded in 646 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658…
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Sinbulsa Temple – 신불사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple Layout Sinbulsa Temple is located in western Ulsan in Ulju-gun to the east of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1082.2 m). In fact, the famed Tongdosa Temple isn’t all that far away to the south, as well. When you first arrive at the temple grounds, after having wandered around the outskirts of the Samsung factory, you’ll first be greeted by a stone sign that says the temple’s name in Korean: 신불사. Down at the fork in the road, head right towards the temple grounds. Straight ahead of you, and to the right, is the temple’s Jong-ru (Bell Pavilion). The Jong-ru houses a rather large Brahma Bell, especially when you consider that the…
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Jeongtosa Temple – 정토사 (Nam-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Jeongtosa Temple is located in Nam-gu in the southern part of Ulsan past the Taehwa River. And it’s situated just to the east of the diminutive Mt. Samhosan (125.7 m). Jeongtosa Temple is named after “Jeongto,” which is the Korean word for “Pure Land” in English. Jeongto is a pure heavenly realm that’s occupied by Buddhas and Bodhisattvas who have shed all of their afflictions. This is the ultimate goal of the popular Jeongto form of Korean Buddhism, which is known as the “Pure Land School” in English. Specifically, Jeongto is referring to a heaven in the Western Paradise inhabited by Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise).…
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Seoknamsa Temple – 석남사 (Ulju-gun, Ulsan)
Temple History Seoknamsa Temple, which is pronounced Seongnamsa, means “South Rock Temple” in English. The name of the temple is in reference to its southern location on Mt. Gajisan (1,240 m). Seoknamsa Temple was first established in 824 A.D. by the highly influential monk Doui-guksa (?-825 A.D.). It was built to pray for the nation. The temple continued to be enlarged until it was eventually destroyed in 1592 during the Imjin War (1592-1598). During the Imjin War, the temple was used as a centre for the training of the Righteous Army to help defend the area from the invading Japanese. Eventually, and in 1674, Seoknamsa Temple was rebuilt. And through…