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 a rock as a miracle of prayer. There are many legends associated with this well like it never dries even during severe droughts. And a person never has a stomachache even if they drink a lot of water from this well.
Dalseongsa Temple is home to one provincial treasure, the “The Wooden Seated Amitabha Triad of Mokpo Dalseongsa Temple;” as well as “The Wooden Ksitigarbha Triad and Ten Underworld Kings of Dalseongsa Temple in Mokpo,” which is a Korean Treasure.
Temple Layout
You first make your way up a long set of uneven stone step, until you arrive at the entry to Dalseongsa Temple. Rather interestingly, there are no entry gates at the temple. To the right, you’ll find the monks’ dorms and the administrative office at the temple. To the left, on the other hand, you’ll find the Jong-ru Pavilion. Housed inside this bell pavilion is a large, bronze bell.
Climbing a set of stone stairs, and to the left, once more, you’ll find a collection of temple shrine halls in the upper courtyard. The first of the three is the large Geukrakbo-jeon Hall. There are various Buddhist related murals surrounding the exterior walls including murals depicting the Lotus Sutra. And near the front entrance, and on either side of the shrine hall’s signboard, you’ll find a pair of wonderful dragon heads. Stepping inside the main hall, you’ll find the “The Wooden Seated Amitabha Triad of Mokpo Dalseongsa Temple” on the main altar underneath a green datjib (canopy). The central image is that of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise), who is joined on either side by statues of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Daesaeji-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Power for Amita-bul). It’s believed that this triad dates back to 1678. The triad have squarish faces that are small, pointed ushnisha (part of the head protrudes), which indicates the Buddha’s supreme wisdom. The triad is adorned in U-shaped robes. The “The Wooden Seated Amitabha Triad of Mokpo Dalseongsa Temple” is a Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property. And hanging on the far right wall is a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
To the left of the Geukrakbo-jeon Hall is the temple’s Myeongbu-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned in simple dancheong colours. Stepping inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, you’ll be welcomed by the stunning “The Wooden Ksitigarbha Triad and Ten Underworld Kings of Dalseongsa Temple in Mokpo,” which is the single Korean Treasure at Dalseongsa Temple. The collection of statues were first made in 1565 by a group of five monk-sculptors led by Hyangeom; and in total, there are nineteen statues to the set. In the centre of this collection is a green-haired image of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). Rather interestingly, this image of Jijang-bosal is seated with one of its legs tucked under it. This is known as the lalitasana posture. And instead of holding a golden staff, which is more customary, Jijang-bosal is making a mudra (ritualized hand gesture) with both of its hands. Joining this central image on either side are statues of the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld). All of the Siwang are seated and adorned in colourful robes. What’s interesting about this set of historical statues inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall is that it’s the only group of Siwang made before the Imjin War (1592-98). Also, the statue of Jijang-bosal is only one of two other historical statues produced in the early Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The other two temples with Jijang-bosal this old are found at Muwisa Temple and Cheongnyangsa Temple. “The Wooden Ksitigarbha Triad and Ten Underworld Kings of Dalseongsa Temple in Mokpo” is important to the study of Korean Buddhist artistry from this time period.
Between the Geukrakbo-jeon Hall and the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, you’ll find the Okjeong, which was first made in 1923. Past this well, and up another set of stairs, you’ll find the Samseong-gak Hall. Like the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, the exterior of the Samseong-gak Hall is adorned in simple dancheong colours. Stepping inside the shaman shrine hall, you’ll find three rather ordinary images dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), Chilseong (The Seven Stars), and Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). Also housed inside the Samseong-gak Hall, and on the far right wall, is a shrine and painting dedicated to the founder of the temple, No Dae-ryeon. Arguably the best thing about the temple are the views of Mokpo off in the distance from the heights of the Samseong-gak Hall.
How To Get There
There’s no bus that goes directly to Dalseongsa Temple. Instead, you’d either need to take two buses or walk for over 20 minutes from where the bus drops you off. So the easiest way to get to Dalseongsa Temple is to take a taxi from the Mokpo Bus Terminal. The taxi ride should take about 15 minutes (depending on traffic), over 6.1 km, and it’ll cost you around 8,400 won (one way). And depending on where the taxi drops you off, it should be anywhere from a 400 to 600 metre walk.
Overall Rating: 6/10
Easily the highlight to Dalseongsa Temple is the “The Wooden Ksitigarbha Triad and Ten Underworld Kings of Dalseongsa Temple in Mokpo.” And of this collection of nineteen statues, the central image of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) is the main highlight. Not only is it one of the oldest images of Jijang-bosal in Korea, dating back to the early Joseon Dynasty, but it’s also making one of the more unique poses made by this specific Bodhisattva. In addition to all that’s housed inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, the views are nice as is the main altar triad inside the Geukrakbo-jeon Hall. It’s a bit of a walk up to the temple, but it’s worth it.
