• Korean Buddhism Orders and Sects

    Seongjusan Sect – Seongjusa-ji Temple Site (Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do)

    The Seongjusan sect was located out of present-day Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do at Seongjusa Temple. According to Prof. David Mason, this temple was already established in 616 A.D. through the orders of King Mu of Baekje (r. 600-641 A.D.). The temple was originally named Ohapsa Temple. The reason for this name was to help commemorate the recent victory over the neighbouring Silla and to pray for the souls of soldiers that had died during the conflict. As Prof. Mason points out on his website, “The Samguk-Yusa records that in 659, during the reign of the final King Uija (의자왕), a ‘Red Goblin’ (hong dokkebi) was seen circumambulating this temple 6 times (an…