Description

Geumdaeam also known as Geumdaesa, is said to have been founded by Master Haengho during the third year of King Muyeol's reign in the Silla Dynasty (656). It is a branch temple of Haeinsa, the head temple of the 12th Diocese of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order. Destroyed during the Korean War on June 25, 1950, Geumdaeam was later reconstructed by a restoration committee. The temple was recognized as a place of worship by Silla monk Doson Guksa and served as a place of enlightenment for Ven. Seosan, the assistant master monk during the Goryeo Dynasty. Within the temple grounds, there are cultural heritage items designated by Gyeongsangnam-do, including the three-story stone pagoda, "Geumdaesa 3-Story Stone Pagoda" (Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 34), and cultural properties such as Geumdaeam Dongjong (No. 268) and Geumdaeam Shinjung Taenghwa (No. 269). Additionally, there is a pine tree designated as Gyeongsangnam-do Monument No. 212. According to the travel record written by Kim Il-son also kwown as Tagyeong in 1489, he visited the temple with the scholar Ildu Jeong Yeo-chang and found around 20 monks engaged in rigorous practice. Geumdaesa is also noted in a poem written by the Confucian scholar named Noegye Yu Hyo-in who wrote, “How are you, Geumdae. The gate below the pine trees looks the same as before. I’ve woken up from a clear dream feeling the pine breeze and talking nonsense.”