Myogwaneumsa Temple – 묘관음사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History
Myogwaneumsa Temple is located just to the east of Mt. Daleumsan (588 m) and hugging the coastline of the East Sea in Gijang-gun, Busan. Myogwaneumsa Temple follows in the Buddhist tradition of Taego Bou (1301-1383). Myogwaneumsa Temple was founded in 1943 by the monk Unbong-seonsa, and it established itself as a training centre. Unbong-seonsa was a disciple of the famed monk Gyeongheo (1849–1912), and it was built to help sustain the Korean Buddhist tradition during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Myogwaneumsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Korean Buddhist temples.
In total, Myogwaneumsa Temple is home to two Busan Treasures. They are the “Myogwaneumsa Temple Horse Hair Whisk” and the “Myogwaneumsa Temple Five Buddhas Paintings.”
Temple Layout
From the temple parking lot, you’ll first be welcomed to the temple by the visitors’ centre. It’s up a set of stone stairs and through the Boje-ru Pavilion that you’ll enter the main temple grounds. Adorning the doors to the Boje-ru Pavilion are a pair of stunning guardian paintings. And up the adjoining walls to the entryway of the pavilion are a pair of paintings dedicated to Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power), who rides a white elephant; and Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom), who rides a blue haetae/lion.
Perfectly framed by the entry pavilion, and as you first step inside the main temple courtyard, you’ll find a nine-story stone pagoda. Slender in design, the pagoda has painted images of various guardians adorning the base of the pagoda, instead of being carved onto the base of the stone structure which is more traditional.
Past the pagoda and the book-ending dorms, you’ll find the temple’s main hall. Out in front of the Daeung-jeon Hall are a line of palm trees. Adorning the exterior walls of the main hall are a masterful collection of Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a triad of statues on the main altar. Sitting in the centre of this triad is the image of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha), who is joined on either side by Munsu-bosal and Bohyeon-bosal. The red painting to the right of the main altar is dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife), while the red painting to the left is dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). The other mural taking up residence inside the Daeung-jeon Hall is a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). The ceiling inside the main hall, especially over the main altar, is adorned with a beautiful collection of various Buddhist-related murals.
To the right rear of the Daeung-jeon Hall is the Josa-jeon Hall. This temple shrine hall, which is adorned with a floral exterior, is dedicated to prominent monks that once called Myogwaneumsa Temple home or are important to the temple’s tradition. In total, there are five murals that occupy the main altar.
To the rear of the temple grounds, and situated in the upper courtyard, are a pair of shrine halls. The first, which has a beautiful view out towards the neighbouring East Sea, is the Gwaneum-jeon Hall. Fronted by a slim five-story pagoda is the newly built shrine hall, which houses two different incarnations of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. The first is a diminutive golden statue of Gwanseeum-bosal, while the other is an elaborate wooden carving dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compassion.
The final shrine hall at Myogwaneumsa Temple is located to the left of the Gwaneum-jeon Hall. The Samseong-gak Hall is larger in size and houses three beautiful murals dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), Chilseong (The Seven Stars), and Dokseong (The Lonely Saint).
How To Get There
From Wollae Station, which is located on the Donghae Line, you’ll need to go out exit #1 and head southwest along the “Haemati-ro – 해맞이로” road. You can walk the 1.4 km distance, which will take you about 20 minutes, or you can simply take a taxi. The taxi ride will take three minutes, and it’ll cost you around 5,000 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 7/10
The grounds at Myogwaneumsa Temple are simply superb. The temple is just as beautiful in its scenic location next to the East Sea, as it is in its architectural and artistic beauty. As for the temple itself, the amazing wooden image of Gwanseeum-bosal inside the Gwaneum-jeon Hall, the artwork adorning the Boje-ru Pavilion, as well as the three modern shaman paintings inside the Samseong-gak Hall are all things to look for while at Myogwaneumsa Temple. The temple is a beautiful blend of natural and artistic beauty.