• Artwork

    Yeonggot – The Lotus Flower: 연꽃

    The Lotus Flower and Korea In Korean Buddhism, and Buddhism more broadly, the lotus flower is arguably the most popular symbol used. In Korean Buddhism, it can appear almost anywhere including in paintings, latticework, altars, nimbus, mandorla, statues, bells and pedestals. In general, the lotus flower is associated with faithfulness, spiritual awakening, and purity. Additionally, the lotus flower is also known to symbolize purity of speech, body, and of the mind. The reason for this is that the lotus flower emerges from the muddy and murky water perfectly clean. This symbolism is manifested in the purity of the enlightened mind rising above the muddy midst of the suffering of Samsara.…

  • Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Jukjangsa Temple – 죽장사 (Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

    Temple History Jukjangsa Temple is located below Hyeongje-bong Peak (532 m) in northern Gumi, Gyeongsangnangbuk-do. Jukjangsa Temple is a branch temple of Jikjisa Temple and belongs to the Jogye-jong Order. The temple is believed to have first been founded during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C. – 935 A.D.). However, the exact date of its founding and by whom are unknown. Additionally, very little is known about the temple’s history until the start of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when the temple was recorded as Jukjangsa Temple in the 29th volume of the “Sinjeungdong-gukyeoseungram” in 1530. So obviously, Jukjangsa Temple existed and was operating at this time. Eventually, however, the temple would…

  • Artwork

    Moran – The Peony: 모란

    Introduction Next to the lotus flower, arguably the second most popular flower you’ll find at a Korean Buddhist temple is the peony, which is known as “moran – 모란” in Korean. The peony represents loyalty, prosperity, beauty, good fortune, and wealth. Additionally, while the lotus flower is symbolic of spiritual growth within Buddhism, the peony is associated with religious nobility and dignity. In addition to peonies appearing alone at Korean Buddhist temples, they can also be joined by other flowers like the rose. If a peony and a rose appear together in a Buddhist painting, this is meant to symbolize wealth, honour, and a long spring. However, if a peony…

  • Gyeongsangnam-do

    Deoksansa Temple (Naewonsa Temple) – 덕산사 (Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do)

    Temple History Deoksansa Temple, which was formerly known as Naewonsa Temple, is located in the eastern part of Jirisan National Park in Sancheong, Gyeongsangnam-do. Deoksansa Temple was first established in 657 A.D. purportedly by the famed monk Wonhyo-daesa (617-686 A.D.). The temple was later reconstructed by Muyeom-guksa (801-888 A.D.) during the ninth century. It was at this time that the temple was quite popular thanks in large part to Muyeom-guksa’s influence and reputation. It was at this time that the temple was originally known as Deoksansa Temple only to be changed to Naewonsa Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Naewonsa Temple means “Inner House Temple” in English. During the Confucian-oriented…

  • Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Yunpilam Hermitage – 윤필암 (Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

    Hermitage History Yunpilam Hermitage is located on the Daeseungsa Temple grounds in Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The hermitage is located to the west of Daeseungsa Temple and Mt. Gongdeoksan (914.5 m). According to the “History of Daeseungsa Temple,” Yunpilam Hermitage was first founded in 1380 by the monk Gakgwan. However, the “Record of Yunpilam Hermitage” states that the temple was founded by the monk Gakgwan and Lady Kim, who was the wife of the civil official Kim Deuk-bae. The hermitage was later rebuilt by the monks Seojo and Takjam in 1645. In 1862, there was a fire at the hermitage that completely destroyed all the buildings at Yunpilam Hermitage. In 1885, and…

  • Gyeongsangnam-do

    Chilbulsa Temple – 칠불사 (Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do)

    Temple History Chilbulsa Temple is located in northern Hadong, Gyeongsangnam-do in Jirisan National Park. Chilbulsa Temple, which means “Seven Buddhas Temple” in English, is a reference to the founding of the temple. According to this foundational legend, the seven sons of King Suro (42?-199 A.D.), who was the legendary founder of Geumgwan Gaya (43-532 A.D.), all attained enlightenment. According to this legend, the seven sons were guided by their uncle, Jangyu-seonsa, for two years until they all reached enlightenment. Rather interestingly, the monk Jangyu-seonsa, who instructed the seven princes, was also the brother to Queen Heo (32 A.D. – 189 A.D.), who was the wife of King Suro. Purportedly, this…

  • Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Hancheonsa Temple – 한천사 (Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

    Temple History Hancheonsa Temple is located in the southern foothills of Mt. Jumasan (516.1 m) in northern Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The temple was first constructed by the monk Uisang-daesa (625-702 A.D.) in 678 A.D. Originally, the temple was called Handaesae Temple, but it was renamed Hancheonsa Temple in the 1900s. According to a temple legend recorded in the “Handaesa Temple Chronicle” (1875), which details the history of the temple, the temple was built by Uisang-daesa. In 676 A.D., and after Uisang-daesa built Buseoksa Temple, the erected pillars used to support structures at the temple continued to fall over. Investigating, Uisang-daesa learned that Mt. Jumasan, which is the southern foot of Mt.…

  • Gyeongsangnam-do,  Tongdosa

    Banyaam Hermitage – 반야암 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)

    Hermitage History Banyaam Hermitage is located on the Tongdosa Temple grounds in the foothills of Mt. Yeongchuksan (1,081 m) in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do. Of the nearly twenty hermitages at Tongdosa Temple, Banyaam Hermitage is the newest. The hermitage was first established in 1999 by the monk Jian. As for the name of the hermitage, it’s a transliteration of the word “Prajna” in Sanskrit, which means either “wisdom” or “enlightenment” in English. So the hermitage literally means “Wisdom/Enlightenment Hermitage” in English. Additionally, Banyaam Hermitage is in close proximity to Geukrakam Hermitage and Biroam Hermitage on the Tongdosa Temple grounds. Hermitage Layout As you first make your way up to Banyaam Hermitage, you’ll…

  • Gyeongsangbuk-do

    Daeseungsa Temple – 대승사 (Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

    Temple History Daeseungsa Temple is located on Mt. Sabulsan in northern Mungyeong, Gyeongsangbuk-do. Daeseungsa Temple means “Great Vehicle Temple” in English. The temple was first established in 587 A.D., and it was the first Buddhist temple ever built in Mungyeong. Daeseungsa Temple has one of the more interesting origin legends. According to the Samguk Yusa, or “Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms” in English: “To the east of Juknyeong (Bamboo Pass) about one hundred li [500 meters] away, soaring high into the sky, there stands a mountain. In the ninth year of King Jinpyeong of Silla [r. 579-632 A.D.], the year of the monkey (587 A.D.), this mountain shook with a…

  • Gyeongsangnam-do

    Suamsa Temple – 수암사 (Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do)

    Temple History Suamsa Temple is located in western Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do in the northern foothills of Mt. Togoksan (855.3 m). Located up a long valley, Suamsa Temple is situated next to the beautiful Buleum-pokpo Falls. Purportedly, Doseon-guksa (826-898 A.D.) first built the temple over a thousand years ago. About a hundred years ago, both Yaksayeorae-bul (The Medicine Buddha, and the Buddha of the Eastern Paradise) and Sanshin (The Mountain Spirit) appeared in the dream of a local village elder. This elder decided to build a temple next to a waterfall below Mt. Togoksan. More recently, Suamsa Temple was rebuilt about fifty years ago replacing a hermitage that was formerly on the…