Yeongtapsa Temple – 영탑사 (Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do)
Temple History
Yeongtapsa Temple is located in southern Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do in the eastern foothills of Mt. Yongsan (254.8 m). It’s believed to have first been founded by Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) at the end of the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). However, there appears to be no clear evidence to support this claim. During the mid-Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), Jinul (1158–1210) erected a five-story stone pagoda in front of the current Daebang Hall. It was at this time that he named the temple Yeongtapsa Temple. Later, Muhak-daesa (1327–1405) carved the “Yaksayeorae-bul of Yeongtapsa Temple” into a natural rock at temple, and he also rebuilt the temple, as well. He also moved the five-story stone pagoda that Jinul made to the hillside overlooking the temple grounds.
In the mid-18th century, in 1760, the “Yeojidoseo,” or “Geographical Survey Book,” records that “Yeongtapsa is located 5 ri west of the county.” This confirms that the temple existed during the late Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1798, the monk Jiyun renovated the Yurigwang-jeon Hall. The temple was further renovated by devotees in 1911. It was at this time that two additional stories were added to the historic five-story pagoda; thus, now making it a seven-story pagoda. And in 1928, Lee Min-dong rebuilt the No-jeon Hall. This was followed in 1988 with the renovation of the Daeung-jeon Hall. In 1992, the No-jeon Hall was destroyed by fire, and it has since been rebuilt. In 2010, a new Sanshin-gak Hall was built at Yeongtapsa Temple, as well.
In total, Yeongtapsa Temple is home to one Korean Treasure, which is the “Gilt-bronze Seated Vairocana Buddha Triad of Yeongtapsa Temple.”
Temple Layout
From the temple parking lot, and slightly to the left, you’ll find the Daeung-jeon Hall at Yeongtapsa Temple. The exterior walls to the main hall are adorned in fading Palsang-do (The Eight Scenes from the Buddha’s Life Murals). Stepping inside the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find a main altar triad centred by Seokgamoni-bul (The Historical Buddha) and joined on either side by Gwanseeum-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) and Jijang-bosal (The Bodhisattva of the Afterlife). And on the far left wall, you’ll find a modern Shinjung Taenghwa (Guardian Mural) fronted by a beautiful statue of Dongjin-bosal (The Bodhisattva that Protects the Buddha’s Teachings).
To the left of the Daeung-jeon Hall, you’ll find the monks’ dorms. And to the right of the main hall, you’ll find a building that houses the “Gilt-bronze Seated Vairocana Buddha Triad of Yeongtapsa Temple.” This smaller sized Korean Treasure is housed inside a beautiful wooden vault. The side panels of the interior of this beautiful display case have reliefs of Munsu-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Wisdom) and Bohyeon-bosal (The Bodhisattva of Power). And the back panel is populated by various images of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, the Four Heavenly Kings, and the central image of Birojana-bul (The Buddha of Cosmic Energy). But the main highlight is the “Gilt-bronze Seated Vairocana Buddha Triad of Yeongtapsa Temple.” On top of an octagonal lotus flower-patterned pedestals rests the central image of Birojana-bul. This central image is joined on either side by two Bodhisattvas. Birojana-bul is making the mudra (ritualized hand gesture) of the diamond fist. It has a topknot-shaped usnisa (a protruding part of the head that symbolizes supreme wisdom) on top of its head. It has curly hair and a plump rectangular face. The upper body of the statue is large and long, while the lower body is comparatively smaller in size. It’s believed that this triad dates back to the mid-Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).
To the right of this building is the administrative office and kitchen at Yeongtapsa Temple. But it’s the ridge side shrine halls to the right of this administrative office that should draw your attention next. The first of the three to the far left is the Sanshin-gak Hall. The exterior walls to this shaman shrine hall are adorned with a white tiger and an image of Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) with an orange tiger with a rather large head. Stepping inside the shaman shrine hall, you’ll find a lone painting of Sanshin on the main altar. The Mountain Spirit is joined by two larger dongja (attendants) and a fierce tiger with intimidating eyes.
Next is an off-limits building, but to the right of this off-limits building is a structure that houses the “Yaksayeorae-bul of Yeongtapsa Temple.” The shrine hall is known as the Yurigwang-jeon Hall. The height of the Yaksayeorae-bul (The Buddha of Medicine) relief is 3.5 metres tall. While the face still has some features to it, most of the body is now featureless. According to a temple legend, the monk Muhak, who when visiting Yeongtapsa Temple, found a strange light emanating from a rock on the temple grounds. Muhak prayed to this rock for the peace of the nation and its people. Since the rock’s carving, it has purportedly shown magical powers in curing people.
Up on the hillside behind the Yurigwang-jeon Hall, you’ll find the seven-story pagoda. The pagoda was originally a five-story structure first built in 1798. Two stories were added to the pagoda in 1920, when the temple was being restored. The pagoda is slender and its body stones are turned noticeably upwards. From this seven-story pagoda, you get a great view of Yeongtapsa Temple down below.
How To Get There
You can take public transportation to Yeongtapsa Temple, but it’ll take you two and a half hours. So the easiest way to get to Yeongtapsa Temple outside of owning your own mode of transportation is to take a taxi from the Dangjin Intercity Bus Terminal. The taxi ride will take you about 20 minutes over 26 km, and it’ll cost you around 30,000 won (one way).
Overall Rating: 7/10
Obviously the main highlight to Yeongtapsa Temple is the “Gilt-bronze Seated Vairocana Buddha Triad of Yeongtapsa Temple,” so make sure you stop by the building that houses this beautiful Korean Treasure next to the Daeung-jeon Hall. Additionally, the “Yaksayeorae-bul of Yeongtapsa Temple” is something to keep an eye out for, as is the seven-story pagoda on the hillside and the Sanshin paintings in and around the Sanshin-gak Hall.