Description

This temple is a branch temple of Haeinsa, the head temple of the 12th Diocese of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order. It was established in the first year of King Gyeongae's reign in the late Silla Dynasty (924) by Choi Chiwon, also known as Go-un. He built it as a place of prayer for his mother. It’s said that while he was engaged in Avalokitesvara meditation, the Bodhisattva appeared to him and bestowed the name Sangyeon, hence the name Sangyeondae. During the late Silla period, Silsang Seonmun, one of the schools of Gusan Seonmun (Nine Gates of Seon, the Korean Zen sect) was established here and it became the last bastion of the Korean Zen sect. Throughout the centuries, many esteemed monks and practitioners sought enlightenment at this sacred site but unfortunately, during the Korean War in 1950, Sangyeondae was destroyed by fire. However, it was reconstructed in 1953 and still stands to this day as a place of spiritual practice. Baegunsan Mountain (1279m) which is connected to the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range stands proudly behind this temple.