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Geumsansa Temple – 금산사 (Sinan, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Geumsansa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the more famous temple with the same name in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, is located on Aphae-do Island in Sinan, Jeollanam-do in the south-western foothills of Mt. Geumsan (101.3 m). In fact, Geumsansa Temple is the only Buddhist temple on the island. According to the “Geumsansa-seo,” or “Introduction to Geumsansa Temple,” the temple was first founded in 1904 by three local residents. In 1981, the temple underwent a restoration. And in 1993, the temple was rebuilt. On July 27th, 1988, Geumsansa Temple was designated as a traditional temple. As a result, Geumsansa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.…
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Yulgoksa Temple – 율곡사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Yulgoksa Temple is located in eastern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the the eastern foothills of Mt. Jeongsusan (829.8 m). Purportedly, Yulgoksa Temple was first founded in 651 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The temple would later be rebuilt in 930 A.D. by the monk Gamak. Almost nothing is known about the temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, there is an octagonal stone pedestal for a Buddha statue that’s situated in front of the temple’s Daeung-jeon Hall from the Goryeo Dynasty. Also, Yulgoksa Temple is mentioned in the Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam (Geographical Records of Korea), which was published during the reign of King Seongjong of Joseon…
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Daebeopsa Temple – 대법사 (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Daebeopsa Temple is located in western Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern foothills of Mt. Deokamsan (545.3 m). Originally, the temple was constructed in 668 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). Purportedly, while meditating, Uisang-daesa saw three cranes flying in the sky. Eventually, they would land in an area where the future Daebeopsa Temple would be built. At this time, he built a small hermitage and named it Baekhaam Hermitage. Originally, Baekhaam Hermitage was located near the future birthplace of Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610), the warrior monk. In fact, Samyeong-daesa stayed at this very hermitage for about ten years of his life. Later, and after Samyeong-daesa died at Hongjeam…
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Seongjeonam Hermitage – 성전암 (Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History To the south of Mt. Baekisan (369 m) in eastern Jinju, Gyeongsangnam-do, you’ll find Seongjeonam Hermitage. The hermitage was first established in 879 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.). The construction of Seongjeonam Hermitage was based upon Doseon-guksa applying the principles of pungsu-jiri (geomancy, feng shui). Doseon-guksa believed that the vital energy from Mt. Baekdusan, flowing southward along the east coast, peaked at Mt. Samgaksan to the north and Mt. Yeohangsan to the south. Recognizing this location as an auspicious site for a great temple, Doseon-guksa built Seongjeonam Hermitage. The exact details of the hermitage’s history after its founding are unknown. It’s not until the Joseon…
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Simjeoksa Temple – 심적사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Simjeoksa Temple is located in southern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Gisan (616.1 m), which is just outside Jirisan National Park. Simjeoksa Temple was first founded in 929 A.D.; however, the founder of the temple is unknown. Nothing is known about the temple until it was rebuilt in 1610 by the monks Seolam, Iam, and Seolbong. Most of the temple’s history remains unrecorded. However, we do know that the temple was destroyed during the Korean War (1950-53). Restoration work started on the temple in 1976, this included the rebuilding of the Nahan-jeon Hall at Simjeoksa Temple. Temple Legend There is a legend connected to Simjeoksa…
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Dalseongsa Temple – 달성사 (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Dalseongsa Temple is located on Mt. Yudalsan (229.5 m) in western Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. Dalseongsa Temple was first established on April 8th, 1913 by the Buddhist monk No Dae-ryeon of Daeheungsa Temple. Dalseongsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. A stone pagoda engraved with the names of those that contributed to the temple’s founding stands on the temple grounds, alongside a monument for the monk No Dae-ryeon. Additionally, and on the west side of the Geukrakbo-jeon Hall, there’s a well called Okjeong. It’s said that the monk No Dae-ryeon began digging it during a 100-day prayer service in 1923 and spring water rose from…
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Dosolam Hermitage – 도솔암 (Buk-gu, Ulsan)
Hermitage History Dosolam Hermitage is located in Buk-gu, Ulsan in the western foothills of Mt. Muryongsan (450.6 m). Dosolam Hermitage is a branch hermitage of Tongdosa Temple. As for Mt. Muryongsan, and according to legend, nine dragons lived in a pond on the peak of the mountain. There, the dragons danced and played, which brought down rain. That’s why the mountain is known as Mt. Muryongsan, which means “Dancing Dragons Mountain” in English. Up until the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), the site was the private residence of Yi Jong-jun of the Wolseong Yi clan. Two sisters, Kim Bok-seon and Kim Su-hwa, were living in Byeongyeong (present-day Byeongyeong-dong) in Ulsan, when…
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Geumjeongsa Temple – 금정사 (Gyeongju)
Temple History Geumjeongsa Temple is located in western Gyeongju near the summit of Mt. Saryongsan (685.5 m). In fact, Geumjeongsa Temple might be the most westerly temple in the ancient city of Gyeongju. According to tradition, Geumjeongsa Temple was first founded by the famed monk Wonhyo (617-686 A.D.). After being damaged during the Imjin War (1592-98), the temple would eventually be rebuilt during the reign of King Yeongjo of Joseon (r. 1724-1776) in 1750. Geumjeongsa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Temple Layout You first make your way up towards Geumjeongsa Temple up a steep, side-winding mountain road that stretches over a kilometre in distance.…
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Dong-gu, Daegu)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Dong-gu, Daegu shouldn’t be confused with the numerous other temples in Korea with the same name, especially the nearby Gwaneumsa Temple in Jung-gu. This Gwaneumsa Temple is situated in the northern foothills of Mt. Hyangsan (160.1 m). Both temples are named for the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Gwanseeum-bosal. According to the “Palgongsan Dodong Naggasan Gwaneumsa Temple Monument Inscription,” Gwaneumsa Temple was first founded in 670 A.D. by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). It would later be rebuilt by the monk Simji in the early 9th century. After this, very little is known about the temple’s history outside Jingak-guksa (1178-1234) and his writings from the Goryeo…
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Jeungsimsa Temple – 증심사 (Dong-gu, Gwangju)
Temple History Jeungsimsa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Gwangju in the western foothills of Mt. Mudeungsan (1,186.8 m). In fact, Jeungsimsa Temple is located in the western portion of Mudeungsan National Park. Jeungsimsa temple was first founded by the monk Cheolgam-seonsa (798-868 A.D.) in 860 A.D. However, there is some dispute as to when the temple was first founded. According to the “Gwangju Eupji – 광주읍지,” which was published in 1924, the temple was first founded in 517 A.D. by a Chinese monk named Cheolgam from the Liang Dynasty (502-519 A.D.). According to the “Gwangju Gunsa – 광주군사,” on the other hand, which was published in 1934, the temple was…