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Bohyeonam Hermitage – 보현암 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Bohyeonam Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The hermitage gets its name from Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). The hermitage, which is also scenically located in Gayasan National Park, was first founded in 1973 by nun Hyechun. Hyechun is an important figure in Korean Buddhism in the 20th century. She was born in Bukcheong, Hamgyongnam-do, North Korea in 1919. She would actively participate in the Buddhist Purification Movement (1954-62). She would also help in the creation of the Jogye-jong Order. Later, and after founding Bohyeonam Hermitage, she would serve as the chairperson of Korea’s bhikkuni (nuns). Through her efforts, they would contribute to…
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Gukilam Hermitage – 국일암 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Gukilam Hermitage is one of a dozen hermitages on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. As a result, Gukilam Hermitage is beautifully situated in Gayasan National Park. It’s unknown as to when Gukilam Hermitage was first founded. It’s also unknown who first founded the hermitage, as well. The name of the temple derives from the monk Byeokam (1575-1660). Byeokam was born in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. His father died when he was nine years old, and Byeokam became a monk at the age of fourteen under the monk Buhue (1543-1615). When the Imjin War (1592-98) started, Byeokam participated in the war under Buhue. And when the war was over,…
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Samseonam Hermitage – 삼선암 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Samseonam Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in the foothills of Mt. Gayasan (1,433 m) in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Samseonam Hermitage was first founded by the monk Jahong in 1893. It was later rebuilt in 1904 by two monks, Bochan and Jijong. The hermitage was rebuilt, once more, in 1971. Currently, Samseonam Hermitage is a nunnery (bikuni) meditation centre. Hermitage Layout From the hermitage parking lot, you’ll make your way towards a collection of buildings including a storage building to your left. Eventually you’ll pass through an entryway with a signboard that reads “Banya-seonwon – 반야선원 (般若禪院)” on it. To the right of this entryway are a…
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Jijokam Hermitage – 지족암 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Jijokam Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do in Gayasan National Park. Originally, Jijokam Hermitage was first named Dosolam Hermitage. The word “Jijok” is an abbreviation of the Sanskrit transliteration of the word “Tusita,” which is the Pure Land of Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). Originally, the hermitage was nothing more than a solitary hut for the monk Huirang-josa, who was a monk that was active during the late Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) and the start of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Although there are no specific records indicating how the hermitage was maintained throughout the centuries, we do have several pieces of…
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Yaksuam Hermitage – 약수암 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Yaksuam Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in the foothills of Mt. Gayasan (1,433 m) in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Yaksuam Hermitage was first founded in 1904 by the monk Seongju. Yaksuam Hermitage was later rebuilt in 1927. Currently, the hermitage is a home to nuns (비구니). Hermitage Layout You’ll make your way past large, mature trees, a high stone wall, and an auxiliary building, before coming to the entry gate at Yaksuam Hermitage. Stepping inside the main hermitage courtyard, you’ll find what almost looks to be the nuns’ dorms straight ahead of you; but instead, this is the Daeung-jeon Hall at Yaksuam Hermitage. There are other entrances…
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Baengryeonam Hermitage – 백련암 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baengryeonam Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. Additionally, it’s situated the furthest east of all the hermitages on the Haeinsa Temple grounds. Also, Baengryeonam Hermitage is the highest in elevation on Mt. Gayasan of the Haeinsa Temple hermitages, as well. It’s unknown as to when the hermitage was first built, and it’s also unknown who first built Baengryeonam Hermitage. We do know, however, that the hermitage was reconstructed in 1605 by the monk Soam, who was a disciple of Seosan-daesa (1520-1604). Legend has it that during the Imjin War (1592-98), when the Japanese were invading the Korean Peninsula in 1592, that Soam protected…
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Huirangdae Hermitage – 희랑대 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Huirangdae Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The picturesque hermitage was first founded by Huirang-josa (889-956 A.D.) at the end of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). However, after the hermitage was first founded by Huirang-josa as a meditative retreat, very little is known about the hermitage beyond its founding. As for Huirang-josa, he contributed greatly to the unification of the nation under Goryeo rule (918-1392). Not only that, but he helped in the development of Korean Buddhism. More specifically, it’s said that Huirang-josa was a scholarly monk who was well educated in the study of Hwaeom-jong (The Flower Garland Sect).…
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Colonial Korea – Haeinsa Temple
Temple History Haeinsa Temple, which is located in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do, 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 represents the Sangha, and Haeinsa Temple represents…
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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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Iljumun – The One Pillar Gate: 일주문
Introduction So we’re going to be starting a new series here on the blog. We’re going to be talking more about Korean Buddhist temple architecture. What does it mean? What does it look like? Why is it there? And first on the list is the first gate, which is also typically the first structure that will greet you at a Korean Buddhist temple, is the Iljumun Gate. Iljumun translates into English as the “One Pillar Gate.” Iljumun Gate Design The Iljumun Gate is very simple in its design. It consists of a tiled roof that’s supported by either two or four pillars that stand in a straight line. A wooden…