Description

This temple is a branch temple of Haeinsa, the head temple of the 12th Diocese of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order. It was founded during King Jungjong's reign in 1520 in the late Silla Dynasty. Ven. Beoksong Jieom renovated it and named it "Beoksongsa". Before the era of Cheongho Hyeojeong also known as Ven. Seosan who inherited the lineage of Korean Zen Buddhism, eight prominent Korean Zen monks, including Beokgye Jeongsim, Beoksong Jieom Buyong Yeonggwan, Hwansung Jian, Seoryong Sangmin, practiced here so there is a special connection between Beoksongsa and Korean Zen Buddhism. In 1704, the 30th year of King Sukjong’s reign, the temple suffered a fire but was reconstructed by Ven. Hwansung Jian. Later, in 1850, the first year of King Cheoljong's reign, Ven. Seoryongdang Sangmin reconstructed it again. Unfortunately, it was destroyed once more during the Korean War on June 25, 1950. It was subsequently rebuilt by Monk Woneung Guhan in 1960, and it stands to this day. The current temple buildings include the main hall, Wontongjeon, with a meditation hall and Ganwolu (moon-viewing pavilion) on both sides. At the front, there is a mountain gate and a bell tower. At the back, there is Sansingak (mountain god pavilion). Also, within the temple grounds, there are various cultural heritage items, including Treasure No. 474, the "Beoksongsa 3-story Stone Pagoda," Folklore Material No. 2, the "Beoksongsa Wooden Fish," as well as Gyeongsannam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage like Byeoksongdang Jieom Yeongjeong (Portrait of Ven. Jieom), GyeongamjJip Chaekpan (Woodblocks of Poems of Ven. Gyeongam), and Myobeopyeongwagyeong Chaekpan (Lotus Sūtra Woodblocks).