Injisa Temple – 인지사 (Haeundae-gu, Busan)
Temple History
Injisa Temple, which means “Benevolent Wisdom Temple” in English, is located to the north of Mt. Jangsan (634 m) in Haeundae-gu, Busan. Injisa Temple, which is also known as Gwaneumjeongsa Temple, was first founded in 1984 on the former site of the Silla-era (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) hermitage known as Injiam Hermitage. This hermitage would later be known as Sinseonam Hermitage. It’s believed that Injiam Hermitage was first constructed around 700 A.D. The hermitage would eventually be abandoned during the 19th century.
The temple was eventually incorporated into the Jogye-jong Order in 1986. It was at this time that the temple changed its name to that of Gwaneumjeongsa Temple. On December 26, 2014, Gwaneumjeongsa Temple was designated as a traditional temple. And on May 10, 2016, Gwaneumjeongsa Temple reverted back to its original name of Injisa Temple.
Injisa Temple is home to one municipal treasure. It’s the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva of Inji-sa Temple,” which is Busan Metropolitan City Cultural Heritage Materials #50.
Temple Layout
You first make your way to the east of a large cluster of apartment complexes. In fact, Injisa Temple is situated near one of these apartment complexes. The temple doesn’t have a parking lot. Instead, it has an underground lot where the monks and temple staff park their cars underneath the administrative office and monks’ dorms at the temple.
The entire temple ground is elevated for the most part, until you get to the end of the temple grounds that run up against the slopes of Mt. Jangsan. Climbing the set of stairs to the left of the monks’ dorms and administrative office, you’ll enter into the lower courtyard at Injisa Temple. Now at your back, you’ll find the aforementioned buildings at the temple.
Straight ahead of you, on the other hand, and up another set of stairs, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with the Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls to the Daeung-jeon Hall are adorned in simple Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). These murals are joined by other images that are dedicated to the Bodhidharma and the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha). Stepping inside the main hall, you’ll find a main altar triad centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). This central image is joined on either side by statues of Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). Also taking up residence inside the Daeung-jeon Hall is a wonderfully large Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) and a collection of Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals) that adorn every surface inside the main hall.
To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the Jong-ru Pavilion. This pavilion houses a large bronze bell that’s crowned with an image of Poroe (The Dragon that Adorns the Top of the Temple Bell). To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the Myeongbu-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned with various murals of those being punished in the Underworld. Stepping inside the Myeongbu-jeon Hall, you’ll find a central main altar image of a golden Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). This central image is then joined on either side by ten seated images of the Siwang (The Ten Kings of the Underworld).
To the rear of the Daeung-jeon Hall, and slightly to the left, is where the Samseong-gak Hall is located on the Injisa Temple grounds. The exterior walls are adorned in scenic landscapes and an image of what looks to be Dokseong (The Lonely Saint). This rather ordinary exterior is surpassed by the originality housed within this shaman shrine hall. The central image is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). The central image within this painting has an image of Jeseok-bul (Indra) being joined on either side by Ilgwang-bosal (The Sunlight Bodhisattva) and Wolgwang-bosal (The Moonlight Bodhisattva). All three are surrounded by a golden mandorla. Above and below this central triad are images of Confucian and Buddhist figures that are meant to represent various constellations.
To the right of this mural dedicated to Chilseong, you’ll find one dedicated to Dokseong. This painting is rather atypical in composition. Dokseong looks a little emaciated with his legs crossed and his left hand resting on a sutra. Overhead, in a stormy sky, you’ll find a blue dragon with a white crane nearby and above a raging stream. And to the right of Dokseong, you’ll find a dongja (attendant) offering the Lonely Saint some fruit. To the left of the central image of Chilseong, you’ll find a painting dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit). Sanshin rests in the centre of the painting with a white feather fan in his hand. Sanshin is joined in the painting by a tiger with the most peculiar of eyebrows.
Additionally, and this appears to be off-limits to the general public, is the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva of Injisa Temple,” which a municipal treasure. It measures 19.5 cm in height. Also, the image of what appears to be a hooded Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) is seated in the lotus position. However, with that being said, during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) were commonly hooded. By the 15th century, and during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), numerous Nahan statues were produced. Based upon its resemblance to the Nahan statue at Bomunsa Temple in Seoul, it appears as though this statue at Injisa Temple was produced in the late Goryeo Dynasty. Overall, the technique is simple in style.
How To Get There
From the Busanwondong station, which is stop #K116 on the Donghae Line, you’ll need to go out exit #1. From this exit, you’ll need to find the “Busanwondong – 부산원동역” bus stop. From this bus stop, you’ll need to take this bus for 10 stops, or 11 minutes, and get off at the “Ilsin chagoji jongjeom – 일신차고지 종점하차” bus stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to head east up “Jaeban-ro 282-beongil – 재반로 282-번길” road. You’ll need to go down this road for about 200 metres, until you come to the “Jaeban-ro 270-beongil – 재반로 270-번길” road. Head down this road for about 50 metres, until it becomes “Jaeban-ro 282-beongil – 재반로 282-번길” road, again. By following this final road, you’ll eventually come to Injisa Temple. In total, and from where the bus drops you off, it should take about 10 minutes, or 500 metres.
And if you’d rather take a taxi from the Busanwondong station, it’ll take around 10 minutes, or 3.3 km, and it’ll cost you 5,900 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 6/10
Injisa Temple is located in a densely populated part of Busan. Fortunately, Mt. Jangsan isn’t too far away. Also, the three highly original shaman murals housed inside the Samseong-gak Hall are stunning. In addition, the interior of the Daeung-jeon Hall is quite captivating. And if you’re lucky enough to see the “Seated Stone Bodhisattva of Injisa Temple,” it only adds to the overall stature of the temple in Haeundae-gu, Busan.
