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 name of Jungsimsa Temple. Then on December, 1975, the registration name of the temple was updated to that of “Songgwangsa Jogyejong Gwangju Branch Wongaksa.” The reason for this change is that Wongaksa Temple transferred from being managed by Seonamsa Temple to that of Songgwangsa Temple. More specifically, Seonamsa Temple is a Taego-jong Buddhist Order temple, while Songgwangsa Temple is a Jogye-jong Buddhist Order temple. After the Purification Buddhist Movement in Korea (1954-62), and the separation of married (Taego-jong) and unmarried (Jogye-jong) monks in Korea, Wongaksa Temple would ultimately become a Jogye-jong Buddhist Order temple.
In December 1984, Wongaksa Temple expanded its Daeung-jeon Hall, more than doubling its size. In addition to this expansion, both new statues and paintings inside the Daeung-jeon Hall were also created. In 2002, the temple constructed a two-story Won-gak Pavilion at the entry of the temple grounds. In March, 2017, a Chilseong-gak Hall was constructed, as well.
Temple Layout
Upon arriving at the temple grounds, you’ll be welcomed by the two-story Won-gak Pavilion. To the left of this pavilion, and past the large temple bookstore, you’ll enter into the main temple courtyard at Wongaksa Temple.
Straight ahead of you is the newly constructed Daeung-jeon Hall. The exterior walls of the main hall are adorned in various Buddhist-related paintings including one dedicated to the Bodhidharma and Dazu Huike (487-593 A.D.). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll notice that the main altar is actually situated on the side reminiscent of those found at historic temples like the Muryangsu-jeon Hall at Buseoksa Temple and the Daeung-jeon Hall at Bulgapsa Temple. The main altar is occupied by a triad centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) and surrounded by walls of tiny statues of the Historical Buddha surrounded by fiery mandorla. And hanging on the far left wall, you’ll find a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural).
To the right of the Daeung-jeon Hall are the monks dorms. And to the left of the main hall, you’ll find three additional shrine halls facing in towards the Daeung-jeon Hall. The first of the three, and the one standing to the far left, is the oddly designed Sanshin-gak Hall. You can either pray out in front of the Sanshin-gak Hall, where a window looks in on the shaman shrine hall, or you can gain access to the Sanshin-gak Hall through the door on the right of the structure. The interior of the Sanshin-gak Hall is quite small, but it houses a stunning image of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) riding his accompanying tiger.
To the right of the Sanshin-gak Hall, you’ll find the Geukrak-jeon Hall. The exterior walls are adorned with Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and dongja (attendants). Stepping inside the Geukrak-jeon Hall, you’ll find an image of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) inside a glass enclosure. To the left of this main altar image is an older painting dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). And hanging on the far left wall is a red-accented Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural). To the right of the main altar is a picture of Kusan Sunim (1909-1983).
To the right of the Geukrak-jeon Hall, you’ll find another diminutive shaman shrine hall. This time, this shaman shrine hall is the Chilseong-gak Hall. Like the Sanshin-gak Hall, there is a window that looks in on the main altar. And hanging on the main altar is a modern mural dedicated to Chilseong (The Seven Stars). If you look closely, you’ll see one of the biggest-headed Bukseong (North Star) in a Chilseong painting.
How To Get There
Wongaksa Temple is quite easy to get to. Riding the Gwangju subway system, you’ll need to get off at the Geumnam-no 4-ga Station, which is stop #105. From the subway station, you’ll need to go out exit #4 and head northeast. The walk is about 70 metres, and it’ll take you about a minute.
Overall Rating: 6/10
A Buddhist temple in a city seems almost unheard of; and yet, Wongaksa Temple is located in the busier part of Gwangju. Some of the highlights to the temple are the shaman murals of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) and Chilseong (The Seven Stars), as well as the interior of the Daeung-jeon Hall and the beautiful landscaping of the temple grounds. Overall, and for a city temple, Wongaksa Temple is both beautiful and cozy.









