E2024-G038

Munbinjeongsa Temple: A Place of Art, Democracy, and Remembrance

Narrative

Munbinjeongsa Temple, located on the slopes of Mudeungsan Mountain, was founded with a donation from the Buddhist lay follower Jang Mun-bin (1893-1987). More than a place for religious practice, the temple holds the memories and lives of diverse individuals. In 1989, the wedding of poet and democracy activist Kim Nam-ju (1945-1994) and Bak Gwang-suk took place here. The ceremony was officiated by Buddhist monk Jiseon (1946- ), with poet Ko Un (1933- ) serving as the master of ceremonies. The wedding is remembered as a symbolic moment that reflects the communal nature of Munbinjeongsa Temple. Within the temple grounds stands the Stele of O Ji-ho (1905-1982), erected in commemoration of the artist’s 100th birth anniversary. The temple also houses a spirit tablet for mountaineer Kim Hong-bin (1964-2021), known for completing all 14 peaks of the Himalayas. Munbinjeongsa Temple thus remains a site where the memories of art, religion, and democracy converge.

Story Map

• 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