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Samgwangsa Temple – 삼광사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)
Temple History Samgwangsa Temple is situated on Mt. Baekyangsan (641.3m) in Busanjin-gu, Busan. Unlike the majority of temples in Korea like neighbouring Beomeosa Temple and Tongdosa Temple, Samgwangsa Temple doesn’t belong to the Jogye-jong Buddhist Order. Instead, it belongs to the third largest Buddhist Order in Korea: Cheontae-jong Order. The temple is a rather recent creation with it being built in 1983. Throughout the years, it has continued to grow with recent additions like the Myeongbu-jeon Hall and the Geukrak-jeon Hall on the upper hillside. Specifically, Samgwangsa Temple is dedicated to the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. And Samgwangsa Temple is best known for its lantern festival that it hosts each…
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Seokbulsa Temple – 석불사 (Buk-gu, Busan)
Temple History Seokbulsa Temple in Buk-gu, Busan means “Stone Buddha Temple” in English. First constructed around 1930 (or 1927 depending on the source) by the monk Jo Ilhyeon, the temple was originally called Byeongpungam Hermitage, which means “Folding Screen Hermitage” in English. The original name of the temple comes from its location. Situated between Mt. Geumjeongsan and Mt. Baekyangsan, the folds of the rocks that make up the grounds of the temple look like a tall Korean folding screen. However, with the creation of the twenty rock carvings that make the temple so beautiful and famous, the name of the temple changed to Seokbulsa Temple. These rock reliefs are believed…
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Haedong Yonggungsa Temple – 해동 용궁사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, which means “Korean Dragon Palace Temple” in English is a reference to Yongwang (The Dragon King) and the Yonggung (Dragon Palace) that he lives in under the sea. Located in coastal Gijang, Busan, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple has perhaps the most beautiful location for any temple in all of Korea. The temple was first constructed in 1376 by the monk Naong Hyegeun (1320-1376). The temple was built after Naong Hyegeun had a dream. The dream was about the Divine Sea god of the East Sea. During this dream, the Divine Sea god told Naong Hyegeun to build a temple on top of Mt. Bongnae. If Naong…
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Beomeosa Temple – 범어사 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Beomeosa Temple is located on the northeast side of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. Beomeosa Temple means “Nirvana Fish Temple,” in English. Beomeosa Temple was first established in 678 A.D. by the famed monk, and temple builder, Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). The temple was established as one of the ten major temple sites for the Avatamsaka School (Hwaeom School). The name of the temple relates to the name of the mountain for which Beomeosa Temple is situated. Mt. Geumjeongsan means “Golden Well Mountain,” in English. This comes from the myth that a golden fish descended down from the heavens on a five-coloured cloud and played in a well…
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Ssanggyesa Temple – 쌍계사 (Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Located in Jirisan National Park, and north of Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do, Ssanggyesa Temple is situated in one of the prettiest locations in all of Korea. The temple was originally built in 722 A.D. and called Okcheonsa Temple. The temple was built after the monks Daebi and Sambeop were instructed by the Jirisan Sanshin (Mountain Spirit) in the form of a tiger to find a valley where arrowroot blossomed throughout the year even during wintertime. Both monks were the disciples of the famed temple building monk, Uisang-daesa (625-702). Finding such a location, they built Okcheonsa Temple. And after returning from China, they buried the skull of the Sixth Seon Patriarch,…
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Video: Sanshin: The Mountain Spirit – 산신
Hello Again Everyone!! Without a doubt, Sanshin is one of my favourite figures to enjoy at a Korean Buddhist temple. And with over 70% of Korea being occupied by mountains, it’s no wonder that Koreans have worshiped the shaman deity, Sanshin (산신), The Mountain Spirit, for thousands of years. This shaman deity, which is one of the most popular figures that Koreans pray to at a Korean Buddhist temple isn’t even Buddhist in origins. Sanshin can be male or female and is highly revered, often occupying a place in the main hall; or more typically, in a shaman shrine hall to the immediate rear of the main hall. So who…
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Haeinsa Temple – 해인사 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Haeinsa Temple means “Ocean Seal Temple” in English. The name of the temple is in reference to the “Ocean Seal” samadhi (meditative consciousness) from the Avatamsaka Sutra, or Flower Garland Sutra in English, or Hwaeom-gyeong in Korean. The reason for this reference is the idea that the mind is like the surface of a perfectly calm sea. And it’s from this that the true image of our existence is clearly reflected and everything appears as it is. Alongside Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do and Songgwangsa Temple in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, Haeinsa Temple forms the Three Jewel Temples (삼보사찰, or Sambosachal in English). Tongdosa Temple represents the Buddha, Songgwangsa Temple…
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Tongdosa Temple – 통도사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Tongdosa Temple, which is located in northern Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the largest temple in all of Korea with twenty hermitages spread throughout its vast grounds. Tongdosa Temple means “Passing Through to Enlightenment Temple,” in English. Tongdosa Temple was first founded in 646 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.). According to the “Tongdosa-sarigasa-sajeok-yannok,” the temple site was originally a large pond, but it was covered over by landfill so as to allow for Tongdosa Temple to be built. Also, according to the “Tongdosa-yakji,” the name of Mt. Yeongchuksan, which is where Tongdosa Temple is located, the mountain was named after the mountain in India where the Buddha…
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Video: Bicheon: Flying Heavenly Deities – 비천
Hello Again Everyone!! Typically, you’ll find these angelic paintings up near the roofs and rafters of a Korean Buddhist shrine hall. They can be playing a musical instrument, dancing, or even sprinkling water. Beautiful and elegant in appearance, you’ll find them in and around Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. These flying heavenly deities have their origins in Hindu myth. So find out what the do and why they’re at Buddhist temples throughout Korea in this next temple artwork video. Enjoy!
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Video: Gwimyeon: The Monster Mask – 귀면
Hello Everyone!! You might have spotted this somewhat terrifying and sometimes playful figure around a Korean Buddhist temple. They can be located on wall, halls, beams, and panels. These colourful images, usually painted, but can also be a relief or a statue, is called a Gwimyeon. In English, they’re called a Monster Mask. They also go by the name Nathwi. So what exactly are these creatures? What do they do? How did they end up appearing in Korean Buddhist temples and hermitages? Well, watch this video and learn more about these wonderful and colour creatures!