Temple Information
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- Beomeosa Temple
- A temple which will clean your mind…
The original temple of the Seon sect
Busan is the only city in Korea that wasn’t affected by the massive destruction of the Korean War. The temple Beomeosa is located on the mountain Geumjeongsan in Busan, and during the war the passion for sincere practice didn’t wane at this temple. Among High Monks these days in Korea, there are many who have a strong karmic affinity with Beomeosa. Today Busan has become a city favored by the Buddhist laity, which may be a result of the merit which this area’s central temple, Beomeosa, has accumulated. Beomeosa was founded during the reign of Shilla King Munmu (678 C.E.) by Ven. Uisang (625-702 C.E.). There’s a story that a golden fish came down from heaven and enjoyed living in a well, which may be the source of both Geumjeongsan’s name (Gold Well Mountain) and Beomeosa’s name (Sutra Fish Temple). From the time of its foundation, many temple buildings were constructed at Beomeosa, standing like stars in the sky. However, like other temples, Beomeosa was repeatedly destroyed and then rebuilt. These days Beomeosa is considered one of three great temples in the Yeongnam area (the southeastern region of Korea). Together with Haeinsa, the temple has been revitalizing a sense of well-being, just like in the era of its foundation. Since Beomeosa is built on a mountain slope, the temple buildings are arranged on three elevations of the mountain, low, middle and high. As the result of this kind of geometric placement of the buildings, the temple has a certain coziness about it. The first thing that you’ll notice as you step into Beomeosa is the substantial Iljoomoon (One Pillar Gate). The gate is built upon four gigantic foundation stones, and with a majestic roof crowning the top, from any perspective it looks just like a practicing monk, standing with unmoving mind regardless of what appears. Once you set foot in the Daeoongjeon (Main Buddha Hall), you can really sense the devotion of many people over the years. It’s certainly true of the people you see ardently chanting and praying in the Buddha Hall, and it’s also true of the meticulously depicted wall paintings that cover every corner of the building’s interior. If you haven’t sat in the Buddha Hall and carefully examined the incredible details of the interior, you can’t really say you’ve been to Beomeosa. Visit Beomeosa Webpage for more information and sign up for your Templestay.Beomeosa’s Templestay ProgramIn accordance with the temple’s status as the main Seon temple in the region, Beomeosa’s Templestay program has practice as its central focus. The standard program features chanting services, 108 prostrations, Dado (tea ceremony), and has a strong emphasis on Seon Meditation. There is also a freestyle Templestay program that consists of Seon Meditation and tea and conversation with the monks. This enables participants to sit meditation or rest as they like. Aside from these programs, there is a hiking, a New Year’s Morning, and other special Templestay programs. 
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- Yongjoosa Temple
- A temple full of the traditions of filial piety and Buddhist practice…
The area around Yongjoosa Temple, the temple well known for its filial propriety, is steadily becoming urbanized. Because of reckless development of this area, the surrounding rice fields and forests are slowly disappearing and tall apartments and skyscrapers are being built. Due to those changes, Yongjoosa has been transformed into a temple symbolic of preserving the area’s nature and traditions. Yongjoosa was built in 1790 by the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Jeongjo (1752-1800), in honor of his late father, Prince Sadosaeja (1735-1762). This place was the former site of the temple Galyangsa, built in 854 C.E. by the Shilla King Munseong. King Jeongjo had moved his murdered father’s tomb from its previous location in Yangjoo, Gyeonggi Province to Hwasan. He then built a temple to protect the royal tomb, and to pray for the repose of his father’s soul. The night before the opening ceremony, the King dreamed of a dragon grasping a Cintamani jewel (magic pearl) in its mouth, ascending to heaven, and so he named the temple Yongjoosa (Dragon Jewel Temple). Therefore, Yongjoosa is known as “The original temple of filial piety”, where Buddha nature and filial piety go hand in hand. Yongjoosa hasn’t changed much from the time of its foundation until now. When you pass through the Iljoomun (One Pillar Gate), the trees lining the road stretch upwards, forming a canopy that covers the sky. And the stone wall surrounding the temple blends in well with the outlying forest, producing a cozy atmosphere. Once you pass through the forest, you reach the Daeoongjeon (Main Buddha Hall), which is the central focal point of the temple, and is well placed in relation to the other buildings. In the Main Buddha Hall there is a Thangka (painting behind the Buddha) attributed to the artist Hongdo Kim (1706--?) The giant bell in the Yongjoosa bell tower is said to have been cast in the beginning of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 C.E.) But more than anything, if you mention Yongjoosa, the tablet containing the “Sutra of Filial Piety to One’s Parents” comes to mind, which was created by King Jeongjo in 1796 to repay his parents’ kindness. At Yongjoosa there is a museum praising King Jeongjo’s filial piety, and the sutra tablet itself is on display, as well as other cultural treasures related to the king.Yongjoosa’s Templestay ProgramYongjoosa runs a variety of Templestay Programs that have been designed to help us turn our attention within and illuminate our True Self. In addition, another program lets participants examine the various cultural treasures housed in the temple and helps us rediscover the value of filial piety. 
Templestaywrite what one experiences
ColumnKorean seon master Talk
- Donghwasa : Healing the World’s Suffering(2011.08.29)
- Mt. Palgongsan, which is known as a sacred mountain, is located in Gyeongsang Province near Daegu City, in the southwest region of the Korean peninsula. The mountain is dotted with temples and religious sites, and enjoys popularity with people who search for spirituality and want to go beyond the limits of the physical world. One of those places frequented not only by Buddhists but also culture-seekers is the temple Donghwasa. Originally built in 493 C.E., this renowned temple has been a haven for those who wish to have a sense of ancient history and monastic practice in our every-day lives.
NoticeAn important notice for everyone
Meet our 2012 Spring Templestay App Magazine on your Tablets for free!
[2012.04.24]Templestay Korea Facebook Open Event!
[2012.02.06]- [2011.12.30]
NewsNeed to read about the news
Let's enjoy special Templestay on Lunar New Year's Day
[2012.01.16]Geumsan-sa Summer Templestay Program: I Need a Break
[2011.07.13]Buddha’s Teachings on the Kindness of Parents
[2011.06.05]
