-
Gayasa Temple – 가야사 (Busanjin-gu, Busan)
Temple History Gayasa Temple is located in Busanjin-gu, Busan along the northern portion of Mt. Palgeumsan (236 m). In fact, the temple is located near downtown central Seomyeon; and with the right angle, you can get some great views of Seomyeon off in the distance. Gayasa Temple is a branch temple of Beomeosa Temple, and it belongs to the Jogye-jong Order, which is the largest Buddhist Order in Korea. The temple doesn’t have the longest of histories, especially when you compare it to a temple like Beomeosa Temple, which was first founded in 678 A.D. However, Gayasa Temple is over one hundred years of age. Temple Layout You first approach…
-
Borimsa Temple – 보림사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Borimsa Temple is located in western Gijang-gun, Busan to the east of Mt. Jangnyeonsan (240.2 m). And in front of the temple grounds is where three rivers meet. Purportedly the mountains that surround Borimsa Temple are shaped like lotus flowers, while the mountain where Borimsa Temple is located looks like a turtle looking for water. In 1986, while monks at Haeinsa Temple were looking for a place to study, they found a site where three streams met and the mountain behind was shaped like a lotus flower. So not long after, they built Borimsa Temple. Thus, Borimsa Temple is a modern temple that belongs to the Jogye-jong Buddhist…
-
Heungguksa Temple – 흥국사 (Goyang, Gyeonggi-do)
Temple History Heungguksa Temple is located in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do just outside the city limits of Seoul and the park boundaries of Bukhansan National Park. The temple is believed to have first been established in 661 A.D. by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). After practicing at neighbouring Wonhyoam Hermitage, Wonhyo-daesa decided to also build Heungseongam Hermitage, which is located some three kilometres away. Wonhyo-daesa noticed auspicious energy rising from the western foothills of Mt. Hansan for three consecutive days. Upon further investigation, Wonhyo-daesa found that a seated image of Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine) had emerged from the ground at the current site of the Yaksa-jeon Hall at Heungguksa Temple.…
-
Bogwangsa Temple – 보광사 (Paju, Gyeonggi-do)
Temple History Bogwangsa Temple is located in eastern Paju, Gyeonggi-do to the west of Mt. Goryeongsan (621.1 m). Bogwangsa Temple was first founded in 894 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) as a national treasure temple (국가비보사찰) following a royal command. In 1215, the monk Wonjin renovated the temple, and the monk Beopmin enshrined five Buddha and Bodhisattva statues inside the main hall. This was followed in 1388 by the monk Muhak (1327–1405) renovating the temple, once more. Bogwangsa Temple was completely destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-98). The temple would eventually be rebuilt in 1622 by the monks Seolmi and Deokin. In 1631, the monk…
-
Jingwansa Temple – 진관사 (Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul)
Temple History Jingwansa Temple is located in the southwestern part of Bukhansan National Park in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. It’s claimed that Jingwansa Temple was first built during the reign of Queen Jindeok of Silla (r. 647–654 A.D.) as a small temple known as Sinhyeolsa Temple. It would be rebuilt much larger in 1010 and renamed Jingwansa Temple. Jingwansa Temple was built by King Hyeonjong of Goryeo (r. 1009-1031) in appreciation of the Buddhist monk Jingwan, who had saved the life of the king during his ascension to the throne. More specifically, King Mokjong of Goryeo (r. 997-1009) didn’t have a son, so Wang Sun (future King Hyeongjong of Goryeo) was named…
-
Samcheonsa Temple – 삼천사 (Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul)
Temple History Samcheonsa Temple is located in Bukhansan National Park to the north of neighbouring Jingwansa Temple in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. Additionally, Samcheonsa Temple is situated in the very scenic Samcheonsa-gaegok Valley. There are very few historical records about Samcheonsa Temple, so it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact date as to when the temple was first founded; however, it’s claimed that Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) first founded the temple in 661 A.D. Since the temple’s founding, a detailed history of the temple is unknown. In the “Goryeosa,” which was first published in 1451, it claims that the monks of Samcheonsa Temple were found to have made alcohol from rice and were punished…
-
Bomunsa Temple – 보문사 (Ganghwa, Incheon)
Temple History Bomunsa Temple is located on Seongmo-do Island to the west of Ganghwa-do Island. However, while Bomunsa Temple is located on Seongmo-do Island, it’s apart of Ganghwa County in Incheon. The temple is located to the south of Mt. Nakgasan (235 m). Mt. Nakgasan is a transliteration of Mt. Potalaka, which is the mythical dwelling of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). As for Bomunsa Temple, it means “Universal Gate Temple” in English. Bomunsa Temple was first founded in 635 A.D. by the monk Hoejeong-daesa. In 649 A.D., twenty-two images of Buddhas and Nahan (Historical Disciples of the Buddha) were enshrined inside the Nahan-jeon cave shrine hall. Little is known…
-
Jeondeungsa Temple – 전등사 (Ganghwa, Incheon)
Temple History Jeondeungsa Temple, which means “Transmitting (Dharma) Light Temple” in English, is thought to be the oldest extant Buddhist temple in Korea. It’s located in Ganghwa-do Island in Incheon. It was first built in 381 A.D. by the monk Ado-hwasang. The monk Ado-hwasang arrived on Ganghwa-do Island from Jin Dynasty (266–420 A.D.) to spread Buddhism to the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). While Ado-hwasang was staying on Ganghwa-do Island, he built a temple on the future Jeondeungsa Temple site. This temple was originally known as Jinjongsa Temple. However, very little is known about the history of the temple until the mid-Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). It’s not until 1259…
-
Cheongnyangsa Temple – 청량사 (Gangseo-gu, Busan)
Temple History Cheongnyangsa Temple is located south of the Gimhae International Airport near the Nakdong River in Gangseo-gu, Busan. Purportedly, Cheongnyangsa Temple is located in one of the best locations in Korea for pungsu-jiri (geomancy, feng shui). Originally, the temple was nothing more than a village shrine dedicated to the village guardian, Dangsan (Village Guardian Spirit). Also, Cheongnyangsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Floods and landslides in 1864 and 1865 helped form the area where Cheongnyangsa Temple is currently located. More specifically, it’s said that when a natural disaster strikes Myeongji-dong, which is where the temple is located, people can hear the sound of…
-
Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Wolbongsa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Busan to the south of Mt. Gubongsan (404.5 m). Additionally, Wolbongsa Temple is scenically located with the Port of Busan and the Namhang Bridge off in the distance. It’s unclear when Wolbongsa Temple was first constructed. Temple Layout You first arrive at Wolbongsa Temple through a network of old Busan houses. When you finally do arrive at the temple, you’ll notice that Wolbongsa Temple is beautifully perched atop a compact temple courtyard that overlooks the Port of Busan. In fact, if you look close enough, you’ll notice the Namhang Bridge off in the distance, as well. Stepping into the temple courtyard, the…