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Gaseopam-ji Hermitage Site – 가섭암지 (Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage Site History The Gaseopam-ji Hermitage Site is located in Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do in Geumwonsan Natural Recreational Forest between Jirisan National Park to the south and Deogyusan National Park to the north. Mt. Geumwonsan (1,352.5 m), in fact, is located just to the west of the hermitage site. Before getting into the history of the hermitage site, there are a few rather interesting myths connected to Mt. Geumwonsan. According to one myth, there once lived a golden monkey, but he was so unruly that a monk had to restrain him under a rock. This rock was then called Natbawi, or Nabbawi, because it looked like a monkey’s face. According to another…
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Jigoksa Temple – 지곡사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Jigoksa Temple is located in southern Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Gisan (616.1 m) near Simjeoksa Temple. It’s believed that Jigoksa Temple was first founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.), but historical records indicate that the temple was probably first established some time during Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.). It’s believed that the temple was first founded by the monk Eungjin, and it was initially named Guktaesa Temple. After his death, the monk Hyewol renovated the temple and expanded it greatly during the early Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). During this time, the temple was renowned as one of the five great Seon temples.…
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Yaksusa Temple – 약수사 (Gwanak-gu, Seoul)
Temple History Yaksusa Temple is located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul to the northwest of Mt. Gwanaksan (632.2 m). Yaksusa Temple, which is also sometimes referred to as Yaksuam Hermitage, is a temple for nuns. While some records suggest that Yaksusa Temple was first founded in 1421, the “Bong-eun Bonmal Saji – 奉恩本末寺誌” claims that the temple’s origins go all the way back to a hermit named Kim. Kim, purportedly, built a small thatched hut for spiritual practice during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In the late 18th century, and according to the “Beomugo,” which was a document commissioned by King Jeongjo of Joseon (r. 1776-1800) to survey temples nationwide, temples around Mt.…
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Wongaksa Temple – 원각사 (Dong-gu, Gwangju)
Temple History Wongaksa Temple is located in Dong-gu, Gwangju in the eastern part of the city. Wongaksa Temple was first founded in April, 1914 by the monk Geumbong Girim, who was from Seonamsa Temple. Wongaksa Temple was founded as a propagation centre in Gwangju for Seonamsa Temple. In the fall of 1939, the temple was renovated and expanded. In 1944, Kim Yeong-su, who was then the abbot of Seonamsa Temple, erected a monument entitled “Song-eun Yi Gong Gyu-seok and Park Shi Daedeokhwa Devotion Memorial Monument,” which was to commemorate the founding and history of Wongaksa Temple. For unknown reasons, and on December 19th, 1973, the temple was registered under the…
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Yeongguam Hermitage – 영구암 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Yeongguam Hermitage is located on the Eunhasa Temple grounds in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. It’s one of two hermitages directly associated with Eunhasa Temple, and it’s located to the west of the peak of Mt. Sinseosan (630.7 m). According to one legend, the hermitage was first founded by the monk Jangyu-hwasang, who was the brother of Queen Heo Hwang-ok (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.). Purportedly, Jangyu-hwasang first built the hermitage in 42 A.D., and it was later rebuilt in 509 A.D. However, it’s very difficult to verify either claim. The historical records of Yeongguam Hermitage during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) are unknown. However, there is the “Three-story Stone Pagoda of…
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Jung-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple in Jung-gu, Ulsan, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples with the exact same name in Korea, is located in central Ulsan in Taehwa Neighborhood Park. Gwaneumsa Temple is believed to have been established by the female devotee Nam-bosal during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Nam-bosal, after having a prophetic dream, decided to build the temple and name it Monghwa Temple. In 1927, the monk Seokgak also had a dream, one where he encountered Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). After having this dream, the monk decided to reconstruct the main hall of the temple and call the temple Gwaneumsa Temple. Later, and around…
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Daegaksa Temple – 대각사 (Jung-gu, Busan)
Temple History Daegaksa Temple in Jung-gu, Busan is a Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45) temple. The temple was one of the first Japanese Buddhist temples to be constructed after the Japan–Korea Treaty of 1876, which opened the Busan Port to international trade. Initially, the temple was known as the Dongbonwonsa Busan Branch. The Dongbonwonsa Busan Branch was first founded on November 5th, 1877. The temple was affiliated with the Otani-ha of the Honganji Temple in Kyoto, Japan. After the opening of the Busan Port, the Otani-ha began missionary work upon the request of the Japanese government. So in 1877, Okumura Enshin was sent to Korea. Okumura Enshin, it should be noted,…
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Geumyongam Hermitage – 금용암 (Yeonje-gu, Busan)
Hermitage History Geumyongam Hermitage is located in the very southern foothills of Mt. Soemisan (399 m) in Yeonje-gu, Busan. The name of Geumyongam Hermitage is said to originate from Mt. Geumyongsan, which is an alternative name for Mt. Soemisan. Geumyongam Hermitage means “Golden Lotus Hermitage” in English. The reason for this is that lotus flowers bloom around the hermitage grounds during the midsummer months. Within Buddhism, the golden lotus flower is meant to symbolize purity and enlightenment; and hence, why the hermitage is called Geumyongam Hermitage. As for the age of the hermitage, it dates back to the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when the Buddhist laywoman, Lee Indeokhaeng, who was…
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Wolmyeongsa Temple – 월명사 (Gijang-gun, Busan)
Temple History Wolmyeongsa Temple is located in Gijang-gun, Busan in the eastern foothills of Mt. Ilgwangsan (385.3 m). According to legend, Wolmyeongsa Temple has been a place where people have worshipped since ancient times. However, there is no tangible proof to support this claim. The current Wolmyeongsa Temple was founded by Kim Beop-seong, who was a monk at Beomeosa Temple, in 1882. The temple was renovated in 1956. And ten years later, in 1966, the temple was rebuilt in its current form. Since 2011, Wolmyeongsa Temple has belonged to the Taego-jong Buddhist Order. The temple is one of 982 tradition temples in Korea. Temple Legend The “Legend of Wolmyeongsa Temple”…
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Geumsansa Temple – 금산사 (Sinan, Jeollanam-do)
Temple History Geumsansa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the more famous temple with the same name in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, is located on Aphae-do Island in Sinan, Jeollanam-do in the south-western foothills of Mt. Geumsan (101.3 m). In fact, Geumsansa Temple is the only Buddhist temple on the island. According to the “Geumsansa-seo,” or “Introduction to Geumsansa Temple,” the temple was first founded in 1904 by three local residents. In 1981, the temple underwent a restoration. And in 1993, the temple was rebuilt. On July 27th, 1988, Geumsansa Temple was designated as a traditional temple. As a result, Geumsansa Temple is one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.…