Chongmyeongsa Temple – 총명사 (Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History
Chongmyeongsa Temple is located in the western foothills of Mt. Mangsan (215.8 m) in eastern Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do. Chongmyeongsa Temple was first founded in 1913, but it was later moved during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-45) due to the construction of a Shinto shrine. Displaced, it was later relocated to the southwest of Jangseung Village. The temple was moved, once more, to its current location following the establishment of the “Geoje Island Aegwangwon Social Welfare Foundation.” As a result, the temple now overlooks the Jangseung Port from the east.
In the early 1970s, with the establishment of a shipyard, more Buddhist devotees started to visit Chongmyeongsa Temple. In 1979, the Daeung-jeon Hall was built. Later, the temple was expanded to include numerous buildings like the Yosache (dorms), the Sanshin-gak Hall, the Yongwang-gak Hall, and a Nojeon (meditation hall).
Chongmyeongsa Temple is home to one provincial treasure. It’s the “Geoje Chongmyeongsa Yeneom Amitabha Repentance Ritual,” which is Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage #592. The text is considered a repentance ritual dedicated to Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise), and it was published in various regions throughout Korea. It’s believed to have first been published during the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Also, Chongmyeongsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional temples in Korea.
Temple Layout
You first approach Chongmyeongsa Temple down a winding road that skirts the coastline. Eventually, you’ll come to a little sideroad that works its way down the mountainside and past the Sanshin-gak Hall and one of the dorms, until you arrive at the temple parking lot.
From the temple parking lot, you get beautiful views of the port below and Oknyeo-bong Peak (555.5 m) off in the distance. To the south of the temple parking lot, you’ll find the Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned in blue-accented Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar triad centred by Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) and flanked by statues of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Power for Amita-bul). This is a rather strange triad inside a Daeung-jeon Hall, as the main altar is usually reserved for a statue of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). To the immediate right of the main altar, you’ll find a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). And to the right of this is a shrine dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). To the left of the main altar, on the other hand, you’ll find a mural dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). And on the far left wall, you’ll find a mural dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). All the murals inside the Daeung-jeon Hall appear to have been masterfully created by the same artist.
To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a mountain relief. This large relief is centred by Seokgamoni-bul and joined perhaps by Amita-bul and Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). To the right of this large relief, and almost seeming like a residence, is the Yongwang-gak Hall. The exterior walls are left unadorned. Stepping inside, you’ll find a large painting dedicated to Yongwang (The Dragon King). Yongwang is standing on top of a yellow dragon in the middle of the sea, while a blue dragon is swirling overhead. Rather strangely, an older painting of Yongwang is standing up against the wall in the right corner of the shrine hall. In this painting, the Dragon King is resting on a chair and wearing a royal red and gold robe. A folding screen is at his back and he’s being attended to by a dongja (attendant).
The final shrine hall that visitors can explore at Chongmyeongsa Temple is up the mountainside to the rear of the Daeung-jeon Hall. Once again taking the road that you entered the temple grounds on, you’ll find a pair of buildings on the heights of the temple grounds. The building to the right is a Yosache (dorm), while the building to the left is the Sanshin-gak Hall. The exterior is adorned in muted tones void of its more traditional vibrant dancheong colours. Stepping inside the shaman shrine hall, you’ll find a enclosed image of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) that almost looks like a mix between Sanshin and Bukseong (The North Star). Backing this glass enclosure, you’ll find a painting dedicated to Sanshin. The Mountain Spirit is joined by an intimidating tiger in this painting.
Off-limits to the general public is the provincial treasure, the “Geoje Chongmyeongsa Yeneom Amitabha Repentance Ritual” text. The content of the text is meant for a repentance ritual. It’s a Buddhist ceremony, where all unwholesome actions are repented for and rebirth is prayed for while worshipping Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). Originally, this text was compiled by Wang Zicheng of Jin China (1115-1234). The complete text consists of a total of ten volumes in two books.
More specifically, the woodblock printing of the “Contrition in the Name of Amitabha Buddha” was produced in 1474 by the civil official Seong Im (1421-1484) under the orders of Queen Jeonghui (1418-1483), the wife of King Sejo of Joseon (r. 1455-1468) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Queen Jeonghui experienced several deaths in the royal family, including that of her husband and sons. Upon the early death of Queen Gonghye (1456-1474), the wife of Queen Jeonghui’s grandson, King Seongjong of Joseon (r. 1469-1494), she had this book printed to pray for the afterlife of the late royal family members and to commemorate their lives.
Only the second book, consisting of Volumes 6-10, is preserved at Chongmyeongsa Temple. It includes writing by the civil official Kim Su-on (1410-1481) with information on the publication of the book, such as the duties and names of the Buddhist monks and royal family members who participated in the printing of the text. The record shows that the creation of the woodblocks for this printing was a national project involving the most skilled artisans in Korea.
How To Get There
From the Gohyeon Bus Terminal in Geoje, you’ll need to take Bus #11. You’ll need to take this bus for 30 stops, or 36 minutes, and get off at the “Sirip-doseogwon – 시립도서관 하차” bus stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to head south down “Sinbu-ro 4-gil – 신부로 4길” road for about 10 minutes, or 500 metres. Part of this hike is uphill.
And if you’d rather just take a taxi from the Gohyeon Bus Terminal, it’ll take you 20 minutes, or 13 km, and it’ll cost you around 16,500 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 5/10
The views are probably the best thing about this temple. It’s smaller and rather modern compared to other temples on the traditional temple list. In addition to the views, you can also enjoy the interior of the Daeung-jeon Hall and its beautiful collection of Buddhist paintings dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars), Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), and the Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). Also, the two paintings dedicated to the Dragon King inside the Yongwang-gak Hall are pretty nice, as well. But it’s all about the view at Chongmyeongsa Temple.
