A Temple that Aided the Founding of Two Dynasties Yongmunsa Temple was established in 913 by Ven. Daegyeong. There is another story that Crown Prince Maui, the last prince of the Unified Silla Dynasty, established the temple. Originally from Nampo in the Baekje region, Ven. Daegyeong was ordained at Muryangsa Temple and learned Seon meditation from Ven. Muyeom Hwasang. Later he went to Tang China and received the Dharma from Ven. Ungeo Doeung. Upon his return to Korea, he lived in seclusion on Mt. Sobaeksan. One day, King Taejo, founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, visited Ven. Daegyeong and listened to his Dharma talk. He was so impressed that he invited the monk to Borisa Temple in Yangpyeong, probably today’s Yongmunsa (which is also in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do Province). No records from the Goryeo era exist about Yongmunsa Temple, but references to it began to appear in records from the founding of the Joseon Dynasty. In an inconspicuous place on the eastern slope of a mountain east of the temple, stand the stupa and stele of National Preceptor Ven. Jeongji Guksa. Originally from Jaeryeong in Hwaghae-do Province, the preceptor went to Yenching, China, together with his Dharma brother, Ven. Muhak Daesa, and visited venerables Zhikong and Naong at Fayuansi (法源寺) Temple. Later he studied under Ven. Naongand and died in 1338. After his cremation, countless relics (sarira) of great brilliance were collected. King Taejo bestowed on him the posthumous title Jeongji Guksa, and had Gwon Geun, an esteemed writer of the time, write an epitaph to be inscribed on his stele. In 1447, Prince Suyang reconstructed the Main Buddha Hall (Daeung-bojeon), under the royal decree of King Sejong, for his mother, Queen Consort Soheon. Prince Suyang supported the renovation of Yongmunsa Temple even after being crowned King Sejo. The temple underwent many reconstructions after this. Around 1907, when King Sunjong of the Korean Empire was enthroned, Japan’s forced disbanding of the Korean army provoked action by a Korean militia. As Yongmunsa Temple was used as the militia’s headquarters, the Japanese army burnt it down.