-
Geumseonsa Temple – 금선사 (Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju)
Temple History Geumseonsa Temple is located in western Gwangju inside Seongjong Park. Formerly, Geumseonsa Temple was Songjeong Shrine, which was a Japanese Shinto shrine. As part of the Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45) policy, Shinto shrines were established throughout the Korean Peninsula, and visiting these shrines was enforced. This was all part of an effort to make Koreans loyal subjects of the Japanese Emperor. Geumseonsa Temple, which was formerly Songjeong Shrine, is the only remaining Japanese Shinto shrine in Korea. Originally, the Songjeong Shrine was the site of the Shimmei Shrine, which was established on November 25th, 1922 (Taisho 11). On August 28th, 1940 (Showa 15), Otsuka Yohei and fifty-three other…
-
Bulgapsa Temple – 불갑사 (Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Bulgapsa Temple is located in southern Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do in the northwestern foothills of Mt. Bulgapsan (516 m). The exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown; however there is one legend that suggests that Bulgapsa Temple was first founded in 384 A.D. by the monk Haengsa-jonja, who was also known as Marananta (fl. late 4th century). Also according to this legend, Marananta established three temples: Bulgapsa Temple, Dogapsa Temple, and Bonggapsa Temple. Rather interestingly, Marananta is credited with introducing Buddhism to Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) in 384 A.D. Reportedly, Marananta arrived on the Korean Peninsula at Beopseong-po Port, which means “Sacred Law Port” in English.…
-
Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Wolbongsa Temple in Dong-gu, UIsan is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeomposan (203.4 m). It’s believed that the temple was first founded in 930 A.D. by the monk Seongdo-yulsa. According to a temple legend, Seongdo-yulsa recognized the future temple site as a special location. While walking along the Bangojin seashore, the monk looked up and noticed that the full moon, which should have been reflected in the sea, appeared to be hanging perfectly over a mountain instead. Seongdo-yulsa considered this to be an auspicious sign and place, so he made his way through the woods. When he arrived, he foresaw that a great temple would be…
-
Former Dongbonwonsa Temple – 구 동본원사 (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History The Former Dongbonwonsa Temple is located in downtown Mokpo, Jeollanam-do near the Mokpo Port to the south and Mt. Yudalsan (229.5 m) to the west. Known officially as the Jinjong Daegokha Dongbonwonsa Temple, it was the first Japanese Buddhist temple established in Mokpo. Following the division of Japan’s Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land School) during the Edo Period (1603–1868) into East and West branches, Dongbonwon (Higashi Hongan-ji) became affiliated with the Otani sect in 1873, while Nishi Hongan-ji was known as the Honpa (Jodo Shinshu). The Daegokha Otani sect espoused the belief that even those who had committed serious crimes could attain salvation. The Mokpo branch of Dongbonwonsa…
-
Dongchuksa Temple – 동축사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Dongchuksa Temple is located in eastern Ulsan in the southern foothills of Mt. Magolsan (297 m). Also, it’s from the heights of Dongchuksa Temple that you can get views of the East Sea off in the distance. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” or “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms” in English, and under the section on the “Sixteen Foot Buddha of Hwangnyongsa Temple,” Dongchuksa Temple appears in a round about way. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” Dongchuksa Temple was first founded in 573 A.D. under the orders of King Jinheung of Silla (r. 540–576 A.D.). “Dongchuksa” means “East Buddha Nation Temple” in English (more on this later). Dongchuksa Temple…
-
Bukmireukam Hermitage – 북미륵암 (Haenam, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Bukmireukam Hermitage is located on the Daeheungsa Temple grounds to the west of Mt. Duryunsan (700 m) in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. The name of the hermitage means “North Mireuk-bul Hermitage” in English, which is a reference to the Future Buddha, Mireuk-bul. There are no records regarding the exact date that Bukmireukam Hermitage was first founded. However, and according to the “Daedunsaji” which means “Records of Daedunsa” in English, “Master Ongok Yeongtak restored Bukam Hermitage in the Gapsul year of the Qianlong era,” which suggests that Bukmireukam Hermitage was restored in 1754. This same record also states that Jinjeong-guksa resided at Bukmireukam Hermitage between 1241 and 1252. Additionally, Jinjeong-guksa, who…
-
Gwisinsa Temple – 귀신사 (Gimje, Jeollabuk-do)
Temple History Gwisinsa Temple is located in eastern Gimje, Jeollabuk-do in the eastern foothills of Mt. Guseongsan (489.6 m). In fact, it’s not all that far from Geumsansa Temple. Gwisinsa Temple was first founded in 676 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). Originally, the temple was called Guksinsa Temple, and there were eight hermitages that surrounded the main temple. Later, the temple would be rebuilt by the monk Doyun during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). The scholar Choe Chiwon (857-10th century) would compile the “Biography of the Monk Fazang” at Gwisinsa Temple. The temple was later restored by the monk Wonmyeong-guksa (1090-1141) during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). During the…
-
Goransa Temple – 고란사 (Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Goransa Temple is located along the Geumgang River in western Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do. While there are legends linking the temple to the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.) like the temple being established in 57 B.C., while another states that Goransa Temple was first built during the reign of King Asin of Baekje (r. 392-405 A.D.); however, there is no archaeological evidence proving that the temple dates back to this time period. The current Goransa Temple was established during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). One legend suggests that Goransa Temple was first built in 1028 to comfort the souls of the three thousand court ladies who died while jumping…
-
Hyangcheonsa Temple – 향천사 (Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Hyangcheonsa Temple is located in northern Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do in a valley below Mt. Geumosan. Hyangcheonsa Temple was first built by the Buddhist monk Uigak in 656 A.D. Uigak traveled to Japan in 653 A.D. and stayed at Baekjesa Temple for a while. Then he moved to Tang China (618–690, 705–907 A.D.). While there, he carved some 3,053 statues of the Buddha and statues of the sixteen Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha) out of jade. He also made a Buddha triad out of cedar over a three-year period. In 655 A.D., and after transporting these statues to a seaside village in Yesan from a ship made of…
-
Munsusa Temple – 문수사 (Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Munsusa Temple in Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples with the same name, is located in the northwestern foothills of Mt. Sangwangsan (309.5 m). Munsusa Temple is named after the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, Munsu-bosal. The exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown. However based upon the layout of the temple buildings, it’s presumed that the temple was first established during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). And to further reinforce this point, artifacts were discovered inside the seated gilt-bronze Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) statue inside the Geukrakbo-jeon Hall in 1973. A dated document inside this statue indicates that it was…