Wonhyoam Hermitage – 원효암 (Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do)
Hermitage History
Wonhyoam Hermitage, named after the famed Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.), is located in northern Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There are numerous hermitages named after the famed Korean monk, so it should be noted that this Wonhyoam Hermitage is also located in the southeastern foothills of Mt. Palgongsan (1,192 m). Additionally, this Wonhyoam Hermitage is directly associated with Eunhaesa Temple.
It’s believed that this Wonhyoam Hermitage dates back to 668 A.D. In addition to being known as Wonhyoam Hermitage, it’s also known as Naengcheonsa Temple because of the spring water that always flows with cold water no matter the season. It’s also believed that this is where Wonhyo-daesa meditated, as well. Very little is known about the hermitage’s history until it was rebuilt in 1882 by the monk Geungwol-daesa. After the hermitage’s reconstruction, both the Daeung-jeon Hall and the Samseong-gak Hall were built in 1980. However, both shrine halls were destroyed by a fire on Mt. Palgongsan in 1986. So reconstruction started again at the hermitage in 1987. In 1990, the work was completed with the construction of the Geukrak-jeon Hall and the Sanshin-gak Hall.
Wonhyoam Hermitage is home to one provincial treasure, it’s the “Gyeongsan Wonhyoam Hermitage Seated Stone Statue of the Buddha.” This image is Gyeongsangbuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage #386.
Hermitage Layout
Wonhyoam Hermitage is tucked away in a valley fold in the eastern slopes of Mt. Palgongsan. Up a sidewinding road, you’ll eventually come to the ridge where the hermitage is located. When you first approach the diminutive hermitage grounds, you’ll instantly notice the amazing views of the valley below.
When you get enough of the amazing views, you’ll then encounter a storage building that looks quite old. After going around this natural wood building, you’ll find yourself face-to-face with the beautiful new Geukrak-jeon Hall. The exterior walls to the main hall are adorned with some beautiful Shimu-do (Ox-Herding Murals). Stepping inside the Geukrak-jeon Hall, you’ll find a solitary image of Amita-bul (The Buddha of the Western Paradise) on the main altar. To the right and left of the main altar are two additional murals. One of these murals is the red-accented Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural), while the other is also a red-accented mural dedicated to Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife).
Just past the hermitage’s kitchen and monks’ dorms, and slightly up an embankment, you’ll find the Sanshin-gak Hall that functions as a Sanshin/Dokseong-gak Hall. The natural exterior of this shaman shrine hall houses a stunning mural dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) inside. Sanshin sits with two dongja (attendants) at his side and a ferocious tiger at his feet. This painting is joined inside the shaman shrine hall by an older mural dedicated to Dokseong (The Lonely Saint).
Additionally, and as you walk about 200 metres to the north of the hermitage grounds along a mountain trail, you’ll find the “Gyeongsan Wonhyoam Hermitage Seated Stone Statue of the Buddha.” The relief is carved onto a four metre tall rock. The relief is that of the Buddha, Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha). In total, the relief measures 158 cm in height and 170 cm wide. It’s believed that this relief dates back to Unified Silla (668-935 A.D.).
It should also be noted that the entire hermitage grounds are especially beautiful during the fall months as the trees turn into their autumnal hues.
How To Get There
From the Gyeongsan Intercity Bus Terminal, you’ll need to take Bus #803 to get to Wonhyoam Hermitage. After an incredible 64 stops, you’ll need to get off at the Solmaegi Bus Stop. From where the bus drops you off, you’ll need to walk an additional 15 minutes to get to the hermitage.
Overall Rating: 4/10
Wonhyoam Hermitage, like the other Wonhyoam Hermitages that I’ve visited in Korea, is beautifully situated in a rather remote location. Because of its remoteness, it maintains its overall feeling of tranquility and calm. In addition to the views, you can also enjoy the masterful painting dedicated to Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit), as well as the Unified Silla era stone relief dedicated to Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) to the north of the hermitage grounds. Mt. Palgongsan is filled with beautiful temples and hermitages like Donghwasa Temple and Eunhaesa Temple, and Wonhyoam Hermitage is yet another site that dots this amazing mountain.
