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Yongjusa Temple – 용주사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yongjusa Temple is located on the west side of Mt. Cheonseongsan (920.1 m) in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. Yongjusa Temple is a modern temple being completed in June, 1972. The temple was named Yongjusa Temple after the founder of the temple had a dream where a dragon flew up into the sky holding a wisdom pearl in its mouth as it flew. In 1983, after the death of the founder of the temple, the monk Jijin took over the position of head of the temple at this time. In 2009, with the passing of Jijin, the monk Seongnam took over the position of head monk at the temple. From this…
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Templestay – Golgulsa Temple (Gyeongju)
Introduction to Temple Golgulsa Temple, which means “Bone Cave Temple” in English, is located in eastern Gyeongju just down the road from Girimsa Temple. Golgulsa Temple was first built during the 6th century by the monk Gwangyu. Purportedly, the monk Gwangyu arrived back in Korea from India with some of his followers. After arriving, he decided to build Golgulsa Temple to emulate the cave temples in India. Golgulsa Temple would continue to exist until the mid to late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when it was left in ruins after being destroyed by fire. Through a few twists and turns, the Golgulsa Temple that we know of today was rebuilt starting in…
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Manboksa-ji Temple Site – 만복사지 (Namwon, Jeollabuk-do)
Temple Site History The Manboksa-ji Temple Site is located in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do to the south of Mt. Girinsan (238.9 m). It’s believed that the temple was first built during the reign of King Munjong of Goryeo (r. 1046-1083). At the time of its construction, the temple was quite large in size. According to records, there was a five-story wooden pagoda and a two-story main hall at the temple. And inside the two-story main hall stood a ten metre tall Buddha statue made of bronze. The temple was also used as a backdrop for one of Kim Si-seup’s (1435-1493) stories, Manboksa jeopogi, in the Geumo Sinhwa. Eventually, the temple was destroyed…
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Templestay – Jikjisa Temple (Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Introduction to Temple Jikjisa Temple is one of the oldest temples in Korea dating back to its founding in 418 A.D. by the monk Ado-hwasang. Jikjisa Temple is located in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do at the base of Mt. Hwangaksan (1111.3 m). The name of the temple means “Finger Pointing Temple” in English, and there are three theories as to how the temple got its name. The first states that after first seeing the location, Ado-hwasang pointed to a spot on the mountain and said that a large temple should be built at its base. The second story states that in 936 A.D., Master Neungyeo, while reconstructing the temple, instead of using…
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Eunhasa Temple – 은하사 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Eunhasa Temple, which means “Silver Water Temple” in English, is located in the foothills of Mt. Sineonsan (630.7 m), or “Fish Deity Mountain” in English in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. And the reason that Eunhasa Temple has this name is that Mt. Sineonsan used to be called Mt. Eunhasan. According to a legend, Eunhasa Temple dates back to the reign of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (?-199 A.D.), when it was built by the monk (and brother to Queen Heo), Jangyu-hwasang. What is more likely, and based upon earthenware found on the temple grounds, is that the temple dates back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (18 B.C. – 660…
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Templestay – Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
Introduction to Temple Bulguksa Temple is arguably Korea’s most famous temple. It’s located in eastern Gyeongju, and it’s situated in the foothills of Mt. Tohamsan (745 m). Bulguksa Temple means “Buddha Kingdom Temple” in English. Bulguksa Temple was first constructed in 528 A.D., which was the first year that Buddhism was officially accepted by the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) during the reign of King Beopheung of Silla (r. 514-540 A.D.). Originally, the temple was named Beopryusa Temple or Hwaeom Bulguksa Temple. Then nearly two hundred years later, the Bulguksa Temple that we know of today was first started in 742 A.D. The design and financial backing of…
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Templestay – Donghwasa Temple (Dong-gu, Daegu)
Introduction to Temple Donghwasa Temple is located on the southern slopes of Mt. Palgongsan (1193 m) in Dong-gu, Daegu. The name of the temple means “Paulownia Blossom Temple” in English. The temple was first built in 493 A.D. by the monk Geukdal, and it was originally named Yugasa Temple. However, when the temple was rebuilt in 832 A.D., the name of the temple changed to Donghwasa Temple. The re-naming of the temple pertains to a legend, when during the dead of winter, wild paulownia trees were in full bloom all around the temple grounds. This was thought of as an auspicious sign, so the temple was re-named Donghwasa Temple. During…
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Temple Site in Bomun-dong – 보문동 사지 (Gyeongju)
Temple Site History The Temple Site in Bomun-dong is located in the historic city of Gyeongju on the east side of the Bomun plains between Mt. Hindeungsan (268.7 m) and Mt. Nangsan (99.5 m). The name of the temple is assumed to be Bomunsa Temple because of a tile found at the site with “Bomun” written on it in Chinese characters. The roof file was discovered during Japanese Colonization (1910-1945). It’s unclear as to when the temple was first built, but it’s believed to have been built some time before the reign of King Gyeongmun of Silla (r. 861-875 A.D.). Currently, the temple site is located in and among numerous…
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Templestay – Guinsa Temple (Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Introduction to Temple Guinsa Temple is located in Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do. And the name of the temple means “Salvation of Humanity Temple” in English. Guinsa Temple is located up a long valley north of the towering Mt. Sobaeksan (1439.6 m). The temple was first completed in 1945, when a small hut was built on the grounds by the founder, Sangwol-wongak, of the modern Cheontae-jong Order. During the Korean War (1950-1953), the temple was destroyed by fire. Then in 1966, Guinsa Temple was rebuilt and expanded. Guinsa Temple is the headquarters to the Cheontae-jong Order in Korea, which governs over 140 temples like Samgwangsa Temple in Busan. Also, the Cheontae-jong Order has over two million…
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Siwang – The Ten Kings of the Underworld: 시왕
Introduction to the Ten Kings of the Underworld The origins and development of the Ten Kings of the Underworld, which are known as the “Siwang” in Korean, is a lengthy one. The Ten Kings, as we know them today, are solidified around the 9th century in China over a gradual process with numerous influences (both social and religious). Here is their journey through time, culture, and religions. Pre-Buddhism and Early Buddhism in China Before Buddhism had entered the Han Dynasty (202 B.C. – 220 A.D.), the descriptions of the afterlife are somewhat vague and simple. Additionally, these descriptions lack detail. Instead, all that the underworld is associated with is with…