Temple History Gakhwasa Temple is located in Bonghwa, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the south of Mt. Gakhwasan (1,202 m). The name of the temple means “Awakening Flower Temple” in English. According to the “Taebaeksan Gakhwasa Reconstruction Record,” it’s believed that Gakhwasa Temple was first founded by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) some time during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r. 661-681 A.D.) possibly in 676 A.D. However, the “Gakhwasa Turtle Stele,” which is believed to date back to the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), states that the temple was first founded in 686 A.D. During the reign of King Yejong of Goryeo (r. 1105-1122), the monk Muae Gyeeung rebuilt Gakhwasa Temple. After this,…