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Gaesimsa Temple – 개심사 (Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History Gaesimsa Temple is located in eastern Seosan, Chungcheongnam-do. Gaesimsa Temple is joined to the south by Mt. Illaksan (521.4 m). Rather confusedly, it’s written about the temple’s history that Gaesimsa Temple was built by the monk Hyegam in the 5th year of Queen Jindeok of Silla’s reign (r. 647-654 A.D.) and the 14th year of King Uija of Baekje’s reign (r. 641-660 A.D.). The only problem with this is that that would make it the year 651 A.D. during Queen Jindeok of Silla’s reign, while it would make it 654 A.D. during King Uija of Baekje’s reign. Generally, however, it’s believed that Gaesimsa Temple was first constructed in…
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Anmyeonam Hermitage – 안면암 (Taean, Chungcheongnam-do)
Hermitage History Anmyeonam Hermitage is located in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do on Anmyeon-do Island; from which, the hermitage gets its name. Anmyeonam Hermitage is a new hermitage first constructed in 1998. The hermitage belongs to the Jogye-jong Order, and it falls under the administration of Geumsansa Temple. Anmyeonam Hermitage was first built by the followers of the monk Jimyeong, who was the head monk at Beopjusa Temple. Anmyeonam Hermitage is a coastal hermitage that overlooks Cheonsuman Bay. There are numerous shrine halls stacked and gathered together on the hermitage grounds. Unfortunately, they’re all concrete. But while newer and concrete in composition, the coastal views are stunning. Hermitage Layout You first approach Anmyeonam…
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Yeongheungsa Temple – 영흥사 (Gyeongju)
Temple History Yeongheungsa Temple is located on the northern slopes of Mt. Seondosan (380.6 m) in the historic city of Gyeongju. The temple was first founded in 535 A.D. by the wife of King Beopheung of Silla. And when King Beopheung of Silla (r. 514-540 A.D.) abdicated his throne and became a Buddhist monk, he became a Buddhist monk at Yeongheungsa Temple. In addition, his wife, Queen Kim, became a nun at Yeongheungsa Temple in her later years, as well. Then in 572 A.D., during the reign of King Jinheung of Silla (r. 540-576 A.D.), King Jinheung of Silla’s wife Queen Sado (?-614 A.D.) became a nun at Yeongheungsa Temple.…
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Geumwangsa Temple – 금왕사 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple Layout Geumwangsa Temple is a modern temple with not much of a history in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. Geumwangsa Temple is located to the north of Mt. Geumsan (704.9 m) at the entry of the valley that leads up to Boriam Herimtage. The temple also enjoys a beautiful view of the sea off in the distance to the west. And the ascent towards the temple grounds is rather steep; but when you finally do arrive, you’ll be welcomed by the fan-like folds of the mountain where Geumwangsa Temple is precariously placed. After climbing a steep set of stairs, you’ll be looking towards the modern Daeung-jeon Hall, which also acts as the…
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Seokgolsa Temple – 석골사 (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Seokgolsa Temple is located in a long valley west of Mt. Unmunsan (1,188 m) in northeastern Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s believed that Seokgolsa Temple was first founded by the monk Beheo-seonsa in 560 A.D. It was later re-established in 773 A.D. by the monk Beopjo. Throughout the years, Seokgolsa Temple has gone by a few different names including Nojeonsa Temple, Seokdongsa Temple, and Seokgulsa Temple. In fact, it’s believed that the temple was originally called Seokgulsa Temple, or “Stone Cave Temple” in English; however, because of the local dialect, and the way that this was pronounced, it changed to Seokgolsa Temple over time. Seokgolsa Temple was also a base…
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Maneosa Temple – 만어사 (Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple Myth The founding of Maneosa Temple appears in the Samguk Yusa, or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms in English. According to the Samguk Yusa, “In an antique record it is written that the site of Maneosa Temple was formerly called Mt. Jaseongsan or Mt. Ayasasan. Nearby was Garakuk [The Gaya Conferacy], where an egg descended from heaven on the seacoast from which came a man who ruled over that country. This was King Suro [of Geumgwan Gaya, 42?-199 A.D.]. “In those days there was a poisonous dragon in the mountains which lived in a jade pond and carried on with five female Nachal [Rakshasa] on the sapphire waves, calling…
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Mangwolsa Temple – 망월사 (Gyeongju)
Temple History Mangwolsa Temple is located on the northwestern side of Mt. Namsan (494 m) in Gyeongju. And just under a hundred metres to the north is Sambulsa Temple. Mangwolsa Temple is a modern temple of the Wonhyo-jong Sect of Korean Buddhism. The Wonhyo-jong Sect is one of twenty-seven Buddhist sects recognized by the Korean government. It was founded in July, 1963 by the monk Haein. Then in August, 1967, Mangwolsa Temple became the headquarters of the sect. Currently, the headquarters of the sect is located out of Seoul. The sect, rather obviously, reveres the teachings of Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The Wonhyo-jong Sect is organized around the exclusion of superstitious…
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Hwangboksa-ji Temple Site – 황복사지 (Gyeongju)
Temple Site History The Hwangboksa-ji Temple Site is located on the northeast side of Mt. Nangsan (99.5 m) in Gyeongju. The exact date and by whom the temple was first constructed is unknown. In fact, there is still some controversy as to whether this is in fact the location of the historic Hwangboksa Temple. However, with that being said, tiles were discovered at the site with the words “Hwangbok” or “Wangbok” written on them. Additionally, the sari reliquary discovered inside Three-Story Stone Pagoda at Hwangboksa Temple Site, which is National Treasure #37, records how the temple was constructed to wish great fortune on the royal Silla family in the early…
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Jungsaengsa Temple – 중생사 (Gyeongju)
Temple History Jungsaengsa Temple is located on the northwestern part of Mt. Nangsan (99.5 m) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Jungsaengsa Temple is a branch temple of Bulguksa Temple. Jungsaengsa Temple was first founded in 679 A.D. Also, and alongside Baengnyulsa Temple and Minjangsa Temple, Jungsaengsa Temple was central to the worship of Gwanseeum-bosal during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). After this point in history, however, very little is known about Jungsaengsa Temple and when it eventually fell into disrepair. Jungsaengsa Temple would eventually be reconstructed in the 1940’s on the old temple site. And today, there are a handful of temple structures at Jungsaengsa Temple. Jungsaengsa Temple is home to the Rock-Carved…
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Gyemyeongam Hermitage – 계명암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Gyemyeongam Hermitage is located in Geumjeong-gu, Busan on the Beomeosa Temple grounds. More specifically, it’s located to the northeast of Beomeosa Temple about midway up Gyemyeong-bong Peak (599.8 m), which is part of the Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) mountain range. Gyemyeongam Hermitage means “Rooster’s Crow Hermitage” in English. The exact date of the hermitage’s founding is unknown. However, it’s believed that the hermitage dates back to Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s believed that Gyemyeongam Hermitage gets its name from when Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) was searching for a temple site one night when he heard a rooster crow. Gyemyeongam Hermitage was reconstructed after 1592 after the Imjin War (1592-1598).…