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Ansimsa Temple – 안심사 (Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Ansimsa Temple is located in southwestern Cheongju in Chungcheongbuk-do. Ansimsa Temple means “Peaceful State of Mind Temple” in English. It’s unclear when this temple was first founded; however, in 775 A.D. the temple changed its name to Ansimsa Temple after the monk Jinpyo-yulsa taught his students here peacefully. This is the same Jinpyo-yulsa that would go on to first build the famed Geumsansa Temple in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do. Later, Ansimsa Temple was rebuilt in 1325 by Wonmyeong-guksa. And it was repaired in 1626 by the monk Songam-daesa. Ansimsa Temple was damaged during the Imjin War in 1592. Later, in 1672, the Daeung-jeon Hall that now currently stands on the…
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Mireukdaewon-ji Temple Site – 미륵대원 (Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple Site History The Mireukdaewon-ji Temple Site is located in Woraksan National Park to the northwest of Mt. Poamsan (963.1 m) in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do. As the name of the temple site hints at, Mireudaewon-ji Temple Site was built for the worship of Mireuk-bul (The Future Buddha). Unfortunately, there is no specific historical records about when the temple was first founded and when it was later destroyed. However, from various archaeological digs and speculation, it’s assumed that the temple was first founded between 901 and 937 A.D., and it was later destroyed in 1230 by the invading Mongols. The temple was later rebuilt after its destruction during the early Joseon Dynasty…
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Yongamsa Temple – 용암사 (Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Yongamsa Temple in Okcheon, Chungcheongbuk-do is located on the northern side of Mt. Jangryeongam (654.5 m). Yongamsa Temple was first established in 552 A.D. by the monk Uisin. This is the very same monk that would go on to establish the famed Beopjusa Temple one year later in 553 A.D. In a twist, Yongamsa Temple is now a branch temple of Beopjusa Temple. Yongamsa Temple means “Dragon Rock Temple” in English. The temple was named after a dragon-like rock that once resided on the temple grounds. However, the Yongbawi Rock was destroyed by the Japanese, and only a trace of the rock still remains to this day. In…
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Sujeongam Hermitage – 수정암 (Boeun-Gun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Just south-west of the famous Beopjusa Temple in Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do is Sujeongam Hermitage. And like Beopjusa Temple, it’s beautifully situated in Songnisan National Park. Sujeongam Hermitage is one of twelve hermitages that’s located on the Beopjusa Temple grounds. Sujeongam Hermitage is believed to have been built around the same time as Beopjusa Temple in 553 A.D. by the same monk, Uisin. Unfortunately, very few records remain to tell about the hermitage’s history. However, records do exist stating that the hermitage had shaman shrine halls like the Sanshin-gak (Mountain Spirit Hall), Chilseong-gak (Seven Stars Hall), and Dokseong-gak (Lonely Saint Hall), as well as a Daeseon-bang (Great Meditation Hall) in…
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Guinsa Temple – 구인사 (Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Temple History Guinsa Temple, which means “Salvation of Humanity Temple,” in English is located in the Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do. Guinsa Temple is situated up a long valley north of the towering Mt. Sobaeksan (1439.6m). The temple was first completed in 1945, when the contemporary founder of the Cheontae-jong Order, Sangwol-wongak, built a small hut from arrowroot vines. During his time here, he received a revelation about the truth of the universe, which is an interpretation of the Lotus Sutra. During the Korean War (1950-53), the temple was destroyed in the fighting. In 1966, Guinsa Temple was renovated and expanded. And in 1967, the Cheontae-jong Order was registered with the Korean government,…
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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…