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Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Hermitage History Wonhyoam Hermitage, named after the famed Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.), is located in northern Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There are numerous hermitages named after the famed Korean monk, so it should be noted that this Wonhyoam Hermitage is also located in the southeastern foothills of Mt. Palgongsan (1,192 m). Additionally, this Wonhyoam Hermitage is directly associated with Eunhaesa Temple. It’s believed that this Wonhyoam Hermitage dates back to 668 A.D. In addition to being known as Wonhyoam Hermitage, it’s also known as Naengcheonsa Temple because of the spring water that always flows with cold water no matter the season. It’s also believed that this is where Wonhyo-daesa meditated, as well. Very…
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Ilchulam Hermitage – 일출암 (Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Hermitage History Ilchulam Hermitage, which is also known as the Ilchul-seonwon, is located just east of the airport in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do and south of Mt. Unjangsan (234 m). The name of the hermitage means “Sunrise Hermitage” in English. Originally, the temple was first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), however, very little is known about the temple’s history and the specific year that it was first established. In 1914, the hermitage was rebuilt by the monk Hyegwang, who was visiting Girimsa Temple in Gyeongju. After this, a Buddhist academy was established at the hermitage to help protect traditional Korean Buddhism, which was under siege during Japanese…
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Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Wonhyoam Hermitage is located to the south of Beomeosa Temple and to the east of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumjeong-gu, Busan. It’s believed that Wonhyoam Hermitage was first established by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). After the hermitage’s founding, its history is unknown until it was rebuilt during the late Joseon Dynasty (1393-1910) like other hermitages located on the Beomeosa Temple grounds. Wonhyoam Hermitage was later re-opened in June, 1906. Wonhyoam Hermitage is home to five Busan Tangible Cultural Properties. They include the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda on the Western Side of Wonhyoam Hermitage,” which is Busan Tangible Cultural Property #11; the “Three-Story Stone Pagoda…
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Myogwaneumsa Temple – 묘관음사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Myogwaneumsa Temple is located just to the east of Mt. Daleumsan (588 m) and hugging the coastline of the East Sea in Gijang-gun, Busan. Myogwaneumsa Temple follows in the Buddhist tradition of Taego Bou (1301-1383). Myogwaneumsa Temple was founded in 1943 by the monk Unbong-seonsa, and it established itself as a training centre. Unbong-seonsa was a disciple of the famed monk Gyeongheo (1849–1912), and it was built to help sustain the Korean Buddhist tradition during Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45). Myogwaneumsa Temple is one of the 973 traditional Korean Buddhist temples. In total, Myogwaneumsa Temple is home to two Busan Treasures. They are the “Myogwaneumsa Temple Horse Hair Whisk”…
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Okryeonseonwon Temple – 옥련선원 (Suyeong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Okryeonseonwon Temple is located on the southeastern portion of Mt. Baeksan in Suyeong-gu, Busan. The Mt. Baeksan area of Busan was known as an area for local’s to worship, especially for the prosperity of their descendants. It was also known as a military area to protect the city from the Japanese. Although the exact date of the temple’s founding is unknown, it’s believed by some to have first been built by Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.) in 670 A.D. It’s also believed that Choe Chiwon (857–10th century) stayed at the temple in 910 A.D. Originally, the temple was called Baeksansa Temple. Eventually, the name of the temple would change to…
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Seongwangsa Temple – 선광사 (Sasang-gu, Busan)
Temple History Seongwangsa Temple is located in Sasang-gu, Busan in the western foothills of Mt. Baekyangsan (641.3 m). It’s unclear as to when the temple was first built, but it’s one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. Also, it’s a temple that belongs to the Beophwa-jong Buddhist Order. Recently, Seongwangsa Temple changed its name from Yaksasa Temple to Seongwangsa Temple to differentiate it from the neighbouring Yaksuam Hermitage. In February, 2011, Seongwangsa Temple had a ceremony to enshrine the large Maae Buddha at the top of the temple grounds. Temple Layout You first make your way up a pretty treacherous road to get to Seongwangsa Temple. Eventually arriving…
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Daeyulsa Temple – 대율사 (Gunwi-gun, Daegu)
Temple History Daeyulsa Temple is a modern temple that’s located near farmer’s fields in southern Gunwi-gun, Daegu. Daeyulsa Temple is located to the north of Mt. Palgongsan (1,192.3 m). During Daeyulsa Temple’s initial construction in 1972, the “Stone Standing Buddha in Daeyul-ri, Gunwi” was discovered. The only Korean Treasure located at the compact temple grounds at Daeyulsa Temple is the “Stone Standing Buddha in Daeyul-ri, Gunwi,” which is Korean Treasure #988. This standing image of the Buddha dates back to Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s believed that there used to a large Buddhist temple in Daeyul-ri Village in Gunwi that housed the “Stone Standing Buddha in Daeyul-ri, Gunwi.” Temple Layout…
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Seonggulsa Temple – 성굴사 (Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Seonggulsa Temple is located in southern Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the northeast of Mt. Donghaksan (602.7 m). Formerly, the temple was known as Mansusa Temple. The temple, including the caves, seem to be modern in construction. Temple Layout You first approach Seonggulsa Temple up a long valley. On the eastern banks of the narrow stream is the eccentric Seonggulsa Temple. The first thing to greet you at the temple is a beautiful three metre tall stone statue dedicated to Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise). To the left are numerous stone pagodas reminiscent of the ones at Tapsa Temple. In total, there are…
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Jukrimsa Temple – 죽림사 (Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Jukrimsa Temple in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do, which shouldn’t be confused with the numerous other temples with the exact same name, is situated to the north of Mt. Namsan (851.7 m). It’s believed that Jukrimsa Temple was first founded in 610 A.D. by the monk Beopjeong. Initially, the temple was known as Hwanamsa Temple. Purportedly after Beopjeong founded Hwanamsa Temple, he travelled to Japan as directed by Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632-647 A.D.). As a result of his efforts, and upon his return to Silla, Beopjeong was rewarded with land next to Hwanamsa Temple. And because there was so much bamboo on this land, the name of the temple…
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Geumsusa Temple – 금수사 (Dong-gu, Busan)
Temple History Geumsusa Temple, which means “Golden Water Temple” in English, is located in Dong-gu, Busan overlooking the port of Busan in the southern foothills of Mt. Gubongsan (404.5 m). Geumsusa Temple is most famous for being the headquarters of the Wonhyo Sect of Korean Buddhism. Also, it’s one of the 973 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea. At the end of the Imjin War (1592-98), and in 1604, Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610) went to Japan to negotiate the return of Korean prisoners of war. At that time, Samyeong-daesa stayed in Busan near the port. When he tasted the water there, he looked around the area and thought that it would be a…