E2024-G033
Jeungsimsa Temple: A Repository of Buddhist Heritage
Narrative
Jeungsimsa Temple, located at the foot of Mudeungsan Mountain, is said to have been founded in 860 by the Buddhist monk Doyun (798-868, also known as Seon master Cheolgam). Most of the temple buildings were destroyed during the Korean War (1950-1953), but restoration efforts began in the 1970s, and the site was designated as Gwangju Cultural Heritage Material in 1984. Today, Jeungsimsa Temple preserves a variety of Buddhist cultural heritages that continue its historical tradition.
The Iron Seated Vairocana Buddha of Jeungsimsa Temple, enshrined in Birojeon Hall, is estimated to have been created in the 9th century. It was originally located at Daehwangsa Temple, but was moved to Jeungsimsa after Daehwangsa was closed in 1934. The statue was designated a Treasure in 1963. The Stone Standing Bodhisattva, designated as a Gwangju Tangible Cultural Heritage in 1989, originally stood at the Seobongsa Temple Site in Damyang. It was relocated to its current site with private funding from Hyeon Jun-ho (1889–1950), founder of Honam Bank.
In addition, the Obaekjeon Hall, which houses the Five Hundred Arhats and the Ten Principal Disciples, along with the Three-story Stone Pagoda located in front of the hall, have also been designated as Gwangju Tangible Cultural Heritage.
Network Graph
Story Map
- Jeungsimsa Temple and the Sacred Landscape of Mudeungsan Mountain
- Gwangju, Stories Etched in Buddhist Temples
- Wonhyosa Temple: Legacy of Monk Wonhyo
- Jeungsimsa Temple: A Repository of Buddhist Heritage
- Hyangnimsa Temple: A Contemporary Temple Bridging Education and Buddhist Tradition
- Yaksaam Hermitage: A Sacred Site of the Medicine Buddha on Mudeungsan Mountain
- Munbinjeongsa Temple: A Place of Art, Democracy, and Remembrance
