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Geukrakam Hermitage – 극락암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Geukrakam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do in the foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1082.2 m). The name of the hermitage is closely associated with Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise), who typically resides inside a Geukrak-jeon Hall at a temple or hermitage. In English, “Geukrak” means “Ultimate Bliss” for the Western Paradise that Amita-bul resides. Geukrakam Hermitage was first founded in 1344. From its creation to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), very little of the hermitage’s history is known. The only thing that is recorded about the hermitage is that it was reconstructed by the monk Cheolhong in 1758. More recently, and…
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Jajangam Hermitage – 자장암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Jajangam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do in the foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,082.2 m). Jajangam Hermitage, which is named after the founder of Tongdosa Temple, Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.), predates the construction of Tongdosa Temple, which was built in 646 C.E. It’s believed that Jajangam Hermitage was the staging ground for Tongdosa Temple, and it was originally called Jajang-bang. The hermitage was originally nothing more than a hut that was built beneath a stone rock for the founder of Tongdosa Temple, monk Jajang-yulsa, to worship. Subsequently, Jajang-yulsa’s disciples also worshipped at Jajangam Hermitage, as well. Jajangam Hermitage was one of seven hermitages that…
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Samyeongam Hermitage – 사명암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Samyeongam Hermitage is located in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do on the grounds of Tongdosa Temple. In fact, Samyeongam Hermitage is one of 17 hermitages located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in the foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,082.2 m). In 1573, two monks named Yigi and Sinbaek, who were admirers of Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610), decided to build a hermitage in his honour. So who was Samyeong-daesa? Samyeong-daesa was born in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do in a modest home. Eventually, he would pass the gwageo (civil service examinations) to become a Buddhist monk in 1561. With the outbreak of the Imjin War (1592-98), Samyeong-daesa led an army of 5,000 trained soldier-monks known as the Righteous…
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Colonial Korea – Seokguram Hermitage
Hermitage History Seokguram Hermitage on Mt. Tohamsan in eastern Gyeongju houses the most famous statue in all of Korea. In English, Seokguram Hermitage means “Stone Cave Hermitage.” Not only is it a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 1995 alongside Bulguksa Temple, it’s also National Treasure #24. Construction on Seokguram Grotto first started in 751 A.D. by Kim Daeseong (700-774 A.D.), who was the chief minister of Silla. The grotto was completed in 774 A.D. by the Silla court shortly after Kim’s death. According to the “Samguk Yusa,” or “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms” in English, neighbouring Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto were built to honor Kim Daeseong’s parents. Seokguram Grotto was…
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Yeojeokam Hermitage – 여적암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Yeojeokam Hermitage is located in the southern part of Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk. The hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated wtih the famed Beopjusa Temple. The hermitage was founded in 1694 by the monk Yeojeok, who was also known as Gyeongsu. However, based upon the “Multi-Story Stone Pagoda at Yeojeokam Hermitage,” which dates back to some time during either late Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) or the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), the hermitage is probably much older. There’s a rather interesting legend connected to the hermitage and the monk Yeojeok. Purportedly, the hermitage was the richest on the mountain; however, the previous abbots of the hermitage…
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Talgolam Hermitage – 탈골암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Talgolam Hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated with the famed Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan National Park in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. There are two stories as to how Talgolam Hermitage was first built. The first story is related to the monk Jinpyo-yulsa (fl. 8th century). Purportedly, Jinpyo called his disciples to him at Talgolam Hermitage. Here, he taught them how to escape Samsara (the endless cycle of rebirth). The second story is related to the time of King Talhae of Silla (57 – 80 A.D.), when the founder of the Gyeongju Kim Clan, Gim Alji (65 – ?), was lamenting his appearance. Hearing that there was good mineral…
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Bohyeonsa Temple – 보현사 (Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Bohyeonsa Temple is a modern temple located in the western part of Goseong, Gyeongsangnam-do on Mt. Sutaesan (574.7 m). Bohyeonsa Temple is named after the Bodhisattva of Power, Bohyeon-bosal. The temple was first established in 1983 by the monk Jeongcheon, who was a disciple of Cheongdam (1902-1971). Cheongdam was the abbot of the neighbouring Munsuam Hermitage, which looks down on Bohyeonsa Temple from its mountainous heights. Temple Layout From the large temple parking lot, you’ll approach the stately Iljumun Gate. Past this entry gate is the lone shrine hall at Bohyeonsa Temple. This solitary shrine hall is a modern three-story structure. And on top of this three-story structure…
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Hojak-do – Tiger and Magpie Painting: 호작도
Introduction The “Magpie and Tiger” is a prominent genre of Minhwa in Korean folk art known as “Hojak-do – 호작도.” This painting is also known as a “Kkachi Horangi Minhwa – 까치호랑이 민화” in Korean. In this painting, the tiger is purposely given a ridiculous appearance, while the magpie looks more dignified and noble. So why are these two animals depicted this way? What is a Minhwa? And why do they appear at a Korean Buddhist temple? Minhwa The term “Minhwa” literally means “painting of the people” or “popular painting” and were originally from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The present form that we know of today in Minhwa art dates…
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Sanghwanam Hermitage – 상환암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do
Hermitage History Sanghwanam Hermitage is one of 11 hermitages directly associated with Beopjusa Temple in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Sanghwanam Hermitage is located to the east of Taebong (549.9 m) on Mt. Songnisan (1058 m). According to the “Boeungun-ji,” Sanghwanam Hermitage is believed to have first been built in 720 A.D.; however, the founder of the hermitage is unknown. Later, and in 1391, Lee Seong-gye (1335-1408), who would become the founder and first ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo of Joseon (r. 1392-1398), prayed for one hundred days at Sanghwanam Hermitage before ascending the throne. Another interesting feature about the hermitage is whether it was called Sanghwanam Hermitage since it was…
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Bokcheonam Hermitage – 복천암 (Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Hermitage History Bokcheonam Hermitage, which is located in Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do on the Beopjusa Temple grounds, was first built in 720 A.D. during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s the oldest among the hermitages directly associated with Beopjusa Temple on Mt. Songnisan. The hermitage has undergone several reconstructions throughout the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) and the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1449, the hermitage was renovated by the monk Sinmi (1403-1480) in 1464. King Sejo of Joseon (r. 1455-1468), who considered Sinmi to be his teacher, visited Bokcheonam Hermitage. The reason for this is that King Sejo of Joseon was known to have a skin ailment, and Bokcheonam Hermitage was known for its curative…