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Living History – Larry “Hyunsung” Martin (Buddhist Monk – 1975)
One of the great things about running a website about Korean Buddhist temples is that you get to meet a lot of amazing people. And a lot of these amazing people have varying backgrounds, interests, and insights. Rather amazingly, some of these people first visited Korea in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Here are their stories! Q1: Where are you originally from? Introduce yourself a little. A: I consider myself a native Californian, although I was born in Germany, while my father was a teacher on a U.S. Army base there. Q2: When and why did you first come to Korea? A: I developed an interest in Seon Buddhism starting…
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Geumgoksa Temple – 금곡사 (Gangjin, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Geumgoksa Temple is located in northern Gangjin, Jeollanam-do in the foothills of Mt. Ilbongsan (411.8 m). According to some, Geumgoksa Temple was first founded during the reign of Queen Seondeok of Silla (r. 632 – 647 A.D.) by a Silla monk named Milbon. At this time, it’s believed that the temple was called Seongmunsa Temple. However, this story seems unlikely, as the land that Geumgoksa Temple is situated upon belonged to the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). So it doesn’t make a ton of sense that a Silla monk would travel to Baekje Kingdom land to found a Buddhist temple. Much later, and according to the…
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Yeongamsa-ji Temple Site – 영암사지 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple Site History The Yeongamsa-ji Temple Site is located on the southern slopes of Mt. Hwangmaesan (1,113 m) in southwestern Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The temple is believed to date back to the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D); however, the exact date as to when the temple was first established is unknown. According to historical records, the monk Jeogyeon-daesa (932-1014) stayed at the temple until his death at the age of 83. Another indicator of the temple’s origins can be discerned from the style of the temple. The style of the temple indicates that it was grounded in esoteric Buddhism, which was popular in the late Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.…
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Huirangdae Hermitage – 희랑대 (Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Huirangdae Hermitage is located on the Haeinsa Temple grounds in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do. The picturesque hermitage was first founded by Huirang-josa (889-956 A.D.) at the end of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). However, after the hermitage was first founded by Huirang-josa as a meditative retreat, very little is known about the hermitage beyond its founding. As for Huirang-josa, he contributed greatly to the unification of the nation under Goryeo rule (918-1392). Not only that, but he helped in the development of Korean Buddhism. More specifically, it’s said that Huirang-josa was a scholarly monk who was well educated in the study of Hwaeom-jong (The Flower Garland Sect).…
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Living History – Dan Y.T. Cheung (Born – 1957)
One of the great things about running a website about Korean Buddhist temples is that you get to meet a lot of amazing people. And a lot of these amazing people have varying backgrounds, interests, and insights. Rather amazingly, some of these people first visited Korea in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Here are their stories! Q1: When and why did you first come to Korea? A: I was born in Seoul in 1957. Q2: When you first came to Korea what city did you live in? Did you subsequently move around? A: I lived in Seoul at my paternal grandfather’s house, which my father grew up in. It was…
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Wollamsa-ji Temple Site – 월남사지 (Gangjin, Jeollanam-do)
Temple Site History The Wollamsa-ji Temple Site is located in northern Gangjin, Jeollanam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Wolchulsan (810.7 m). In fact, it’s just over the hill from the famed Muwisa Temple. The history of this temple is largely unknown. According to a 16th century document, it was founded by the monk Hyesim (Jingak-guksa, 1178-1234), during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). However, recent excavations of the site in the 2010s revealed not only building sites, roof tile shards and celadon shards from the Goryeo Dynasty, but also roof tiles from the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). This suggests that the temple was founded during the Baekje Kingdom…
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Living History – Peggy McLeod (Peace Corps – 1971)
One of the great things about running a website about Korean Buddhist temples is that you get to meet a lot of amazing people. And a lot of these amazing people have varying backgrounds, interests, and insights. Rather amazingly, some of these people first visited Korea in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Here are their stories! Q1: Where are you originally from? Introduce yourself a little. A: I’m originally from Jacksonville, Florida, USA. I currently live outside of Asheville, North Carolina, where I settled after returning from Korea in 1973. I’m a retired teacher and school administrator in both the US and international school settings. I retired in 2016. I…
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Seven-Story Stone Brick Pagoda in Jangnak-dong – 제천 장락동 칠층모전석탑 (Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Pagoda History The “Seven-Story Stone Brick Pagoda in Jangnak-dong” is located in eastern Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. And at one point, it belonged to the former Jangnaksa Temple. Now all that remains of the former temple is this beautiful brick pagoda. Jangnaksa Temple was first built during the Three Kingdoms of Korea Period (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). In total, Jangnaksa Temple was rebuilt a total of five times, and it was a prosperous temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The temple remained as a fully functioning temple until the mid-Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The temple would eventually fall into disrepair in the 17th century. An excavation was conducted on the Jangnaksa-ji Temple…
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Seongjuam Hermitage – 성주암 (Gyeongju)
Hermitage History Seongjuam Hermitage is located on the eastern side of Mt. Byeokdosan (437.1 m) in central Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. It’s hard to tell just how old the diminutive hermitage is; however, it’s one striking feature is the Rock-Carved Standing Buddha Triad in Yul-dong, which is Korean Treasure #122. The Rock-Carved Standing Buddha Triad in Yul-dong appears to be from Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). Stylistically, the Buddha triad that appears on the carving is similar to the one found at the Gulbulsa-ji Temple Site also in Gyeongju. The 8th century piece consists of a triad centred by Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise). This central image is joined on either…
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Saseongam Hermitage – 사성암 (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Saseongam Hermitage is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do near the peak of Mt. Osan (530 m). This mountain is also known as Mt. Jarasan, which means “Mt. Terrapin” in English, because it closely resembles the shape of a soft-shelled turtle. As a result, Saseongam Hermitage enjoys a beautiful view of the surrounding area that includes the city of Gurye, the Seomjingang River, and Mt. Jirisan (1915 m) off in the distance. Recently, and because of this view, “Saseongam Hermitage and Surroundings” was named as Scenic Site #111 in 2014. It’s believed that Saseongam Hermitage was first built in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa; however, there are no records…