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Choamsa Temple – 초암사 (Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Choamsa Temple is located in the southeastern portion of Sobaeksan National Park in northwestern Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Choamsa Temple, which means “Thatched Hut Temple” in English, is thought to have been founded by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). There are two legends regarding the founding of the temple by Uisang-daesa. In the first legend, it states that in 676 A.D., while Uisang-daesa was travelling around the peninsula to select a site to build the future Buseoksa Temple, he stayed and practiced in a temporary thatched hut to the southeast of Mt. Sobaeksan (1,439 m). In the second legend, Uisang-daesa had already begun the construction of Buseoksa Temple, when the…
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Heukseoksa Temple – 흑석사 (Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple History Heukseoksa Temple is located in eastern Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do to the northwest of Mt. Bakbongsan (389.2 m). As for the name of the temple, Heukseoksa Temple, it means “Black Rock Temple” in English. There are two traditional possibilities for the name of the temple. The first possibility comes from the general dark color of rocks near the temple. The second possibility is explained through a village named Heukseok some 600 metres southeast of the temple. And it’s in this village that there’s a massive black rock, which is thought to have inspired the name of Heukseoksa Temple. It’s believed that Heukseoksa Temple was first founded by Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.).…
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Gwaneumsa Temple – 관음사 (Gwanak-gu, Seoul)
Temple History Gwaneumsa Temple, which shouldn’t be confused with the dozens of other temples with the exact same name in Korea, is located in Gwanak-gu, Seoul in the northern slopes of Mt. Gwanaksan (632.2 m). The name of the temple is in reference to Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). The temple was first founded in 895 A.D. by the famed monk Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.). The temple was originally constructed as a “Bibosa” temple. Bibosa temples were built as temples based upon the idea of protecting the nation. This idea held that by establishing temples in auspicious locations and offering prayers that the nation would prosper. These principles were based upon…
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Templestay – Golgulsa Temple (Gyeongju)
Introduction to Temple Golgulsa Temple, which means “Bone Cave Temple” in English, is located in eastern Gyeongju just down the road from Girimsa Temple. Golgulsa Temple was first built during the 6th century by the monk Gwangyu. Purportedly, the monk Gwangyu arrived back in Korea from India with some of his followers. After arriving, he decided to build Golgulsa Temple to emulate the cave temples in India. Golgulsa Temple would continue to exist until the mid to late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when it was left in ruins after being destroyed by fire. Through a few twists and turns, the Golgulsa Temple that we know of today was rebuilt starting in…
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Eunhasa Temple – 은하사 (Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Eunhasa Temple, which means “Silver Water Temple” in English, is located in the foothills of Mt. Sineonsan (630.7 m), or “Fish Deity Mountain” in English in Gimhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. And the reason that Eunhasa Temple has this name is that Mt. Sineonsan used to be called Mt. Eunhasan. According to a legend, Eunhasa Temple dates back to the reign of King Suro of Geumgwan Gaya (?-199 A.D.), when it was built by the monk (and brother to Queen Heo), Jangyu-hwasang. What is more likely, and based upon earthenware found on the temple grounds, is that the temple dates back to the Three Kingdoms of Korea (18 B.C. – 660…
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Anguksa-ji Temple Site – 안국사지 (Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple Site History The Anguksa-ji Temple Site is located in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do to the east of Mt. Eunbongsan, which is also known as Mt. Anguksan. It’s believed that Anguksa Temple was first constructed sometime during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). The temple was later destroyed sometime during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Later, it was rebuilt by the monk Yong-jun in 1929; however, the temple was closed not long after and has remained abandoned ever since. During a 2003 excavation conducted on the site, a roof tile was discovered with the writing “Taeping” written on it. “Taeping” is a reference to the named used during the reign of Emperor Shengzong (r. 982-1031)…
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Yeongiam Hermitage – 연기암 (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Hermitage History Yeongiam Hermitage is located in the far northern part of the Hwaeomsa Temple grounds in Gurye, Jeollanam-do. Yeongiam Hermitage is one of eight hermitages at Hwaeomsa Temple. Yeongiam Hermitage is named after the Indian monk that first founded Hwaeomsa Temple in 544 A.D., Yeongi-josa. The hermitage is believed to have first been built during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). Yeongiam Hermitage was then destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) in 1592. The hermitage was only recently rebuilt in 1989. And it continues to expand to the present day. Hermitage Layout Making your way up to Yeongiam Hermitage and past the hermitage parking lot, you’ll be…
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Geumwangsa Temple – 금왕사 (Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple Layout Geumwangsa Temple is a modern temple with not much of a history in Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do. Geumwangsa Temple is located to the north of Mt. Geumsan (704.9 m) at the entry of the valley that leads up to Boriam Herimtage. The temple also enjoys a beautiful view of the sea off in the distance to the west. And the ascent towards the temple grounds is rather steep; but when you finally do arrive, you’ll be welcomed by the fan-like folds of the mountain where Geumwangsa Temple is precariously placed. After climbing a steep set of stairs, you’ll be looking towards the modern Daeung-jeon Hall, which also acts as the…
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Kwanumsa Temple – 관음사 (Kaesong, Hwanghaebuk-to North Korea)
Temple History Kwanumsa Temple [Gwaneumsa Temple] is located on Mt. Chonmasan near Kaesong, North Korea. The temple is named after Kwanum, or Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). And it should be noted that some of the spelling in this post will be based on North Korean spelling. This small temple is located between two mountains in a valley. The two mountains are Mt. Chonmasan (757 m) and Mt. Songgosan; and at the back of the valley, you’ll find Pakyon Falls. Kwanumsa Temple was first established in 970 A.D. by the monk Beopin, when he placed two marble statues of Gwanseeum-bosal inside a cave behind the temple. As for the temple,…
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Beopheungsa-ji Temple Site – 법흥사지 (Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Temple Site History The Beopheungsa-ji Temple Site is located in eastern Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The Beopheungsa-ji Temple Site is backed by the Imcheonggak House; and according to Pungsu-jiri (geomancy/feng sui), the location is thought to be auspicious because of its south-facing location with a mountain to its back (Mt. Yeongnamsan) and a river (the Nakdong River) to its front. All that remains of the former temple, Beopheungsa Temple, is the Seven-Story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site, which is National Treasure #16. Given that the temple site is located in Beopheung-ri in Andong, it’s assumed that the temple was named Beopheungsa Temple; thus, giving the area its name. It’s also believed…