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Yeojeokam Hermitage – 여적암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Yeojeokam Hermitage is located in the southern part of Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk. The hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated wtih the famed Beopjusa Temple. The hermitage was founded in 1694 by the monk Yeojeok, who was also known as Gyeongsu. However, based upon the “Multi-Story Stone Pagoda at Yeojeokam Hermitage,” which dates back to some time during either late Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) or the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the hermitage is probably much older. There’s a rather interesting legend connected to the hermitage and the monk Yeojeok. Purportedly, the hermitage was the richest on the mountain; however, the previous abbots of the hermitage…
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Talgolam Hermitage – 탈골암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Talgolam Hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated with the famed Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. There are two stories as to how Talgolam Hermitage was first built. The first story is related to the monk Jinpyo-yulsa (fl. 8th century). Purportedly, Jinpyo called his disciples to him at Talgolam Hermitage. Here, he taught them how to escape Samsara (the endless cycle of rebirth). The second story is related to the time of King Talhae of Silla (57 – 80 A.D.), when the founder of the Gyeongju Kim Clan, Gim Alji (65 – ?), was lamenting his appearance. Hearing that there was good mineral…
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Sanghwanam Hermitage – 상환암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Hermitage History Sanghwanam Hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated with Beopjusa Temple in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Sanghwanam Hermitage is located to the east of Taebong (549.9 m) on Mt. Songnisan (1058 m). According to the “Boeungun-ji,” Sanghwanam Hermitage is believed to have first been built in 720 A.D.; however, the founder of the hermitage is unknown. Later, and in 1391, Lee Seong-gye (1335-1408), who would become the founder and first ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon (r. 1392-1398), prayed for one hundred days at Sanghwanam Hermitage before ascending the throne. Another interesting feature about the hermitage is whether it was called Sanghwanam Hermitage since it was…
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Bokcheonam Hermitage – 복천암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Bokcheonam Hermitage, which is located in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do on the Beopjusa Temple grounds, was first built in 720 A.D. during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s the oldest among the hermitages directly associated with Beopjusa Temple on Mt. Songnisan. The hermitage has undergone several reconstructions throughout the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1449, the hermitage was renovated by the monk Sinmi (1403-1480) in 1464. King Sejo of Joseon (r. 1455-1468), who considered Sinmi to be his teacher, visited Bokcheonam Hermitage. The reason for this is that King Sejo of Joseon was known to have a skin ailment, and Bokcheonam Hermitage was known for its curative…
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Colonial Korea – Beopjusa Temple
Temple History Beopjusa Temple is situated in Songnisan National Park to the north-east of Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Beopjusa Temple means, “Dharma Residence Temple” in English. According to the Dongguk-yeoji-seungnam, or the “Survey of the Geography of Korea” in English, Beopjusa Temple was first founded in 553 A.D. by the monk Uisin. After traveling to India to learn more about Buddhism, Uisan returned to the Korean Peninsula with Indian Buddhist scriptures. Carrying these scriptures on a white donkey, he housed these texts at the temple he was to build: Beopjusa Temple. According to historical documents, the famed monk Jinpyo (8th century) returned to the Mt. Songnisan area and marked a location where it was…
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Templestay – Beopjusa Temple (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Introduction to Temple Beopjusa Temple, which is located in Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do, means “Dharma Residence Temple” in English. The temple was first built in 553 A.D. by the monk Uisin. After traveling to India to learn more about Buddhism, Uisin returned to the Korean Peninsula with Indian Buddhist texts. He carried these Buddhist texts on a white donkey, and he housed them at the temple he would call Beopjusa Temple. During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), and in the early 1100’s, over 30,000 monks gathered at Beopjusa Temple to pray for the dying Uicheon-guksa (1055-1101). At its largest, Beopjusa Temple housed some three thousand monks. However, during the…
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Geumgangmun – The Diamond Gate: 금강문
Geumgangmun Gate Design The Geumgangmun Gate is one of five entry gates that can potentially be found at a Korean Buddhist temple. The Geumgangmun Gate is the second of these entry gates, and it’s placed between the Iljumun Gate (the first entry gate) and the Cheonwangmun Gate (the third entry gate). The name of this gate, Geumgangmun, means “Diamond Gate,” in English. The name is Hindu in origin. Geumgang means “diamond,” in English, which is the hardest substance on Earth. It can’t be harmed or broken by any other matter, but it can cut through or break other material. As such, it’s a symbol of the Buddha’s teachings. The Dharma…
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Beopjusa Temple – 법주사 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Beopjusa Temple is located in northeastern Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do in Songnisan National Park. Beopjusa Temple means “Dharma Residence Temple” in English. The name of the temple relates to its founding. According to the “Dongguk-yeoji-seungnam”, or “The Survey of the Geography of Korea” in English, Beopjusa Temple was first founded in 553 A.D. by the monk Uisin. After travelling to India, where he learned more about Buddhism, Uisin returned to the Korean Peninsula with Indian Buddhist texts. Carrying these religious texts on a white donkey, he housed these texts at the site of the future Beopjusa Temple. The temple was later reconstructed in 720 A.D. Even later, and according to…