Wolbongsa Temple – 월봉사 (Dong-gu, Ulsan)
Temple History
Wolbongsa Temple in Dong-gu, UIsan is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Yeomposan (203.4 m). It’s believed that the temple was first founded in 930 A.D. by the monk Seongdo-yulsa. According to a temple legend, Seongdo-yulsa recognized the future temple site as a special location. While walking along the Bangojin seashore, the monk looked up and noticed that the full moon, which should have been reflected in the sea, appeared to be hanging perfectly over a mountain instead. Seongdo-yulsa considered this to be an auspicious sign and place, so he made his way through the woods. When he arrived, he foresaw that a great temple would be built there in the future. That temple is believed to be the present-day Wolbongsa Temple.
Beyond the temple’s founding, there are no records about its history until Wolbongsa Temple’s reconstruction in 1700 and again in 1773. During Japanese Colonial Rule (1910-45), and in 1919, the monk Jo Wanhae worked on the restoration of Buddhist paintings (taenghwa). In 1936, more than ninety donors allowed for the creation of the “Yeongsan Hoesang-do,” or “The Sermon on Vulture Peak Painting” in English, at Wolbongsa Temple. And on April 21st, 1999, Wolbongsa Temple was designated as Ulsan Traditional Temple #8. In addition to the temple being an Ulsan traditional temple, it’s also one of the 982 traditional Buddhist temples in Korea.
Temple Layout
From the temple parking lot, you’ll make your way towards a two-story structure that acts as both a Cheonwangmun Gate and the Jong-ru Pavilion. To the left of this two-story structure, and before climbing the set of stone stairs, you’ll find a stone statue dedicated to Podae-hwasang (The Hempen Bag). At the base of the stone stairs, you’ll find two of the Four Heavenly Kings painted on the first story of this entry structure. They are now fading, but you can still make them out. On the ceiling of the first story, and as you climb the stairs making your way up to the main temple courtyard, you’ll find swirling paintings of Bicheon (Flying Heavenly Deities) adorning this part of the structure.
Finally having climbed all those stairs, you’ll find a newly constructed five-story stone pagoda. Around the base of this simplistic pagoda, you’ll find reliefs of the Eight Legions. Above these eight reliefs, and just below the first of the five body stones, you’ll find four reliefs of various Buddhas. The southern relief is that of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). Looking back towards the two-in-one structure, and looking towards the second story, you’ll notice all four traditional Buddhist percussion instruments housed inside the Jong-ru Pavilion.
Beyond the modern five-story pagoda, you’ll find the Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned with the Shimu-do (The Ox-Herding Murals), as well as various paintings of the Nahan (The Historical Disciples of the Buddha). Stepping inside the main hall, you’ll find a relief-like golden image of Seokgamoni-bul in the centre of the main altar. Flanking this central image are statues of Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife) holding a golden staff and a regally crowned statue of Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion). Book-ending this triad on either side are images of Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power) riding a white elephant and Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) riding a blue lion. And hanging on the far right wall is a large Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
To the left and right of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the monks’ dorms and administrative office at Wolbongsa Temple. To the right rear of the Daeung-jeon Hall, on the other hand, is an outdoor shrine dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal. The feminine stone statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion holds a medicinal ewer in her left hand. To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find another outdoor shrine. This time, this shrine is dedicated to a standing image of Jijang-bosal. This stone statue holds a metal staff in its right hand.
To the rear of the statue dedicated to Gwanseeum-bosal, and up a set of uneven stairs, you’ll find the unpainted Samseong-gak Hall. Stepping inside the shaman shrine hall, you’ll find three rather ordinary paintings dedicated to the three most popular shaman deities: Chilseong (The Seven Stars), Dokseong (The Lonely Saint), and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit).
How To Get There
From the Ulsan Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to head north of the Lotte Department Store to catch Bus #124. The walk from the bus terminal to the bus stop is about 400 metres, or seven minutes. You’ll need to take Bus #124 for 25 minutes, or nine stops, and get off at the “Hwajeong-jugong Apart-ap – 화정주공아파트앞 하차” bus stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to head south. You should be able to see the signs leading you towards Wolbongsa Temple from here. In total, from where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to walk about 300 metres, or five minutes, to get to the temple. In total, the entire trip to Wolbongsa Temple from the Ulsan Intercity Bus Terminal should take about 35 minutes.
Overall Rating: 6/10
There’s nothing mind-blowingly amazing at Wolbongsa Temple, but there are a lot of nice things. The first of these is the modern five-story pagoda, which is backed by a beautiful Daeung-jeon Hall with a unique main altar relief-like statue of Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). The grounds are well-maintained, and standing in the centre of the temple grounds is a beautiful, feminine statue of Gwaneeum-bosal. Wolbongsa Temple is more a sum of its parts than it is for any outstanding singular feature. Overall, it has a wonderful atmosphere to it.
