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Templestay – Beomeosa Temple (Geumjeong-gu, Busan)
Introduction to Temple Beomeosa Temple is located on the northeastern foothills of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5 m) in Geumgjong-gu, Busan. Beomeosa Temple was first founded in 678 A.D by the famed monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.). In English, Beomeosa Temple means “Nirvana Fish Temple.” The name of the temple relates to the name of the mountain for which Beomeosa Temple is situated. Mt. Geumjeongsan means “Golden Well Mountain” in English. This comes from a myth that finds a golden fish descending down from the heavens on a five-coloured cloud. This golden fish played in a well on top of Mt. Geumjeongsan. It’s believed that this golden well never runs dry. Tragically, Beomeosa…
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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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Templestay – Jikjisa Temple (Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Introduction to Temple Jikjisa Temple is one of the oldest temples in Korea dating back to its founding in 418 A.D. by the monk Ado-hwasang. Jikjisa Temple is located in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do at the base of Mt. Hwangaksan (1111.3 m). The name of the temple means “Finger Pointing Temple” in English, and there are three theories as to how the temple got its name. The first states that after first seeing the location, Ado-hwasang pointed to a spot on the mountain and said that a large temple should be built at its base. The second story states that in 936 A.D., Master Neungyeo, while reconstructing the temple, instead of using…
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Templestay – Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
Introduction to Temple Bulguksa Temple is arguably Korea’s most famous temple. It’s located in eastern Gyeongju, and it’s situated in the foothills of Mt. Tohamsan (745 m). Bulguksa Temple means “Buddha Kingdom Temple” in English. Bulguksa Temple was first constructed in 528 A.D., which was the first year that Buddhism was officially accepted by the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.) during the reign of King Beopheung of Silla (r. 514-540 A.D.). Originally, the temple was named Beopryusa Temple or Hwaeom Bulguksa Temple. Then nearly two hundred years later, the Bulguksa Temple that we know of today was first started in 742 A.D. The design and financial backing of…
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Templestay – Donghwasa Temple (Dong-gu, Daegu)
Introduction to Temple Donghwasa Temple is located on the southern slopes of Mt. Palgongsan (1193 m) in Dong-gu, Daegu. The name of the temple means “Paulownia Blossom Temple” in English. The temple was first built in 493 A.D. by the monk Geukdal, and it was originally named Yugasa Temple. However, when the temple was rebuilt in 832 A.D., the name of the temple changed to Donghwasa Temple. The re-naming of the temple pertains to a legend, when during the dead of winter, wild paulownia trees were in full bloom all around the temple grounds. This was thought of as an auspicious sign, so the temple was re-named Donghwasa Temple. During…
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Templestay – Guinsa Temple (Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do)
Introduction to Temple Guinsa Temple is located in Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do. And the name of the temple means “Salvation of Humanity Temple” in English. Guinsa Temple is located up a long valley north of the towering Mt. Sobaeksan (1439.6 m). The temple was first completed in 1945, when a small hut was built on the grounds by the founder, Sangwol-wongak, of the modern Cheontae-jong Order. During the Korean War (1950-1953), the temple was destroyed by fire. Then in 1966, Guinsa Temple was rebuilt and expanded. Guinsa Temple is the headquarters to the Cheontae-jong Order in Korea, which governs over 140 temples like Samgwangsa Temple in Busan. Also, the Cheontae-jong Order has over two million…
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Templestay – Mihwangsa Temple (Haenam, Jeollanam-do)
Introduction to Temple Mihwangsa Temple, which means “Beautiful Yellow Temple” in English, is located in Haenam, Jeollanam-do. According to a temple myth from the Samguk Yusa, Mihwangsa Temple was first founded in 749 A.D. The temple is located to the west of Mt. Dalmasan (489 m), and it’s the southernmost temple on the Korean Peninsula. As a result, Mihwangsa Temple enjoys beautiful views of the South Sea off in the distance. During the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), officials and scholars from China’s Song Dynasty (960-1279) visited the temple between 1264 to 1294. Also at this time, there were twelve hermitages that were directly associated with Mihwangsa Temple on Mt. Dalmasan. During…
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Templestay – Baegyangsa Temple (Jangseong, Jeollanam-do)
Introduction to Temple Baegyangsa Temple is located in Naejangsan National Park in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do. It’s located in a picturesque valley between Mt. Daegaksan (529.8 m) to the southeast and Mt. Baegamsan (741.2 m) to the northwest. Baegyangsa Temple was first founded in 632 A.D. during the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.). When the temple was first constructed, it was named Baegamsa Temple. Later, and during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), it was renamed to Jeongtosa Temple in 1034. The temple would change its name, once more, in 1350 to that of Gakjinguksa Temple. Finally in 1574, when the temple was rebuilt, it was also renamed with the current name…
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Templestay – Hwaeomsa Temple (Gurye, Jeollanam-do)
Introduction to Temple Hwaeomsa Temple is located in Gurye, Jeollanam-do on the very south-western edge of Jirisan National Park. Hwaeomsa Temple means “Flower Garland Temple” in English, which is in reference to the Flower Garland Sutra. The temple was first established in 544 A.D. by the monk Yeongi-josa, who might have been from India. The temple was later expanded by Jajang-yulsa (590-648 A.D.) in 643 A.D. And it was further expanded by the monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.), during the reign of King Munmu of Silla (r. 661-681 A.D.). Later, and in 875 A.D., Doseon-guksa (827-898 A.D.) expanded the temple, once more. Throughout the years, Hwaeomsa Temple has undergone numerous rebuilds…
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Templestay – Seonunsa Temple (Gochang, Jeollabuk-do)
Introduction to Temple Seonunsa Temple, which is located in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do, means “Seon [Zen] Cloud Temple” in English. The name of the temple implies how profound wisdom is found by staying in the clouds in the boundlessness of Seon meditation. Seonunsa Temple was first built in 577 A.D. by the monk Geumdan-seonsa of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. to 660 A.D.). Seonunsa Temple would eventually fall into disrepair until it was restored by the monk Hyojeong-seonsa in 1354. Seonunsa Temple would be rebuilt again in 1474 by the monk Haengjo-seonsa. The temple would continue to expand until the Imjin War (1592-1598). Seonunsa Temple was completely destroyed by fire during the second invasion of the…