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Baekunam Hermitage – 백운암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Baekunam Hermitage is one of the numerous hermitages located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. Unlike all the other hermitages at Tongdosa Temple, however, Baekunam Hermitage is located halfway up Mt. Yeongchuksan instead of in the foothills of the mountain. Baekunam Hemritage means “White Cloud Hermitage” in English, and it was first established in 892 A.D. in the waning years of Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.) by the monk Jo-Il. There is not much known about the hermitage from the time it was first established until the early part of the 19th century, when Baekunam Hermitage was reconstructed in 1810 by the monk Chimheo. The hermitage has…
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Biroam Hermitage – 비로암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hermitage History Biroam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,082.2 m) some 500 metres away from the neighbouring Geukrakam Hermitage. Biroam Hemritage is named after the Buddha of Cosmic Energy, Birojana-bul. It’s recorded that Biroam Hermitage was first founded in 1345 by the monk Yeongsuk. The hermitage would be rebuilt in 1578 by the monk Taeheum. Biroam Hermitage was completely destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), and it was later rebuilt and reconstructed several more times. In total, Biroam Hermitage is home to one protected property, which is a Gyeongsangnam-do Tangible Cultural Property. The protected property is the…
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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 – Tongdosa Temple
Temple History Tongdosa Temple, which is located in northern Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the largest temple in all of Korea with nineteen hermitages spread throughout its vast grounds. Tongdosa Temple means “Passing Through to Enlightenment Temple” in English. Tongdosa Temple was first founded in 646 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.). According to the “Tongdosa-sarigasa-sajeok-yannok,” the temple site was originally a large pond, but it was covered over by landfill so as to allow for Tongdosa Temple to be built. Also, and according to the “Tongdosa-yakji,” the name of Mt. Yeongchuksan, which is where Tongdosa Temple is located, was named after the mountain in India where the Historical Buddha (Seokgamoni-bul) gave his…
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Mireuk-jeon – The Future Buddha Hall: 미륵전
Introduction According to tradition, Mireuk-bul, or the “Future Buddha,” in English, will achieve Buddhahood in 5.67 billion years after the death of the historical Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul. So Mireuk-bul is seen as both a Buddha and a Bodhisattva, which can sometimes be a bit confusing when you visit a temple and see that Mireuk-bul is Mireuk-bosal, or vice versa. They are one in the same, just at different stages of their spiritual journey. Mireuk-bul is the next in a long line of Buddhas much like Seokgamoni-bul (the Buddha we all know). Until then, Mireuk-bul resides in Dosol-cheon (Tusita Heaven) as a Bodhisattva, Mireuk-bosal. Currently, he passes his time by teaching heavenly…
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Tongdosa Temple – 통도사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Temple History Tongdosa Temple, which is located in northern Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, is the largest temple in all of Korea with twenty hermitages spread throughout its vast grounds. Tongdosa Temple means “Passing Through to Enlightenment Temple,” in English. Tongdosa Temple was first founded in 646 A.D. by the famed monk Jajang-yulsa (590-658 A.D.). According to the “Tongdosa-sarigasa-sajeok-yannok,” the temple site was originally a large pond, but it was covered over by landfill so as to allow for Tongdosa Temple to be built. Also, according to the “Tongdosa-yakji,” the name of Mt. Yeongchuksan, which is where Tongdosa Temple is located, the mountain was named after the mountain in India where the Buddha…
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Video: Seounam Hermitage – 서운암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Alongside Samyeongam Hermitage, Jajangam Hermitage, and Geukrakam Hermitage, Seounam Hermitage is another one of the beautiful hermitages that takes up residence on the Tongdosa Temple grounds. But unlike the three other hermitages, Seounam Hermitage has extensive grounds that a visitor can explore. During these explorations, you can come around a Koi pond, large clay soy pots, and even a fenced off enclosure for a collection of peacocks. The hermitage was first built in 1346. And inside the Janggyeong-gak, in the upper courtyard, you can find a collection of the Tripitaka Koreana that you can find at Haeinsa Temple. So follow me as we walk our way through…
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Video: Samyeongam Hermitage – 사명암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)
Hello Again Everyone!! Another beautiful hermitage that’s located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds is the amazing Samyeongam Hermitage. A personal favourite of mine, Samyeongam Hermitage was named after the warrior monk, Samyeong-daesa (1544-1610). The hermitage was first constructed in 1573. With a beautiful, large Koi pond that’s spanned by a granite bridge, Samyeongam Hermitage is occupied with a large main hall, a Samseong-gak shaman shrine hall, and a Josa-jeon (Founders’ Hall) with a mural of Samyeong-daesa inside. The hermitage is especially beautiful during the spring months, when it seems like the entire grounds are in bloom. So follow me around a personal favourite of mine, as I tour around Samyeongam…