Jungheungsa Temple
Bukhansan Mountain where Jungheungsa Temple is located boasts beautiful nature, and contains the Korean people’s history and culture since the Three Kingdoms of Korea. Jungheungsa Temple is located at the center of this mountain. Jungheungsa Temple is the main temple of Bukhansanseong Fortress, which was constructed to defend Hanyang. Jungheungsa Temple was established in the early period of the Goryeo Dynasty, and was the largest temple in Bukhansanseong Fortress. This Buddhist temple has left a big footprint in the history of Korean Buddhism
At the end of the Goryeo Dynasty, TaegoBou, a great monk who vitalized the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, performed Buddhist meditation here. During his stay at Jungheungsa Temple, TaegoBou built a small temple called Daegoam in the west. Since the old name of Jogyesa Temple was Taegosa Temple, this indicates the succession for the Jogye Order.
Paldodochongseop, the commend center of the Buddhist monks who constructed and defended Bukhansanseong Fortress after the Japanese invasions of Korea in 1592 and the Qing invasion of Joseon in 1636. Jungheungsa Temple was a temple where Dochongseops (highest rank for monks) of the Buddhist monk soldiers stayed. It was the most prestigious temple in Bukhansanseong Fortress. After a monk named Seong Neung was assigned as the chief monk of Jungheungsa Temple, the temple went through dramatic development and became a grand temple.
This is also the temple where the Joseon writer Kim Si-seup had his hair shaved and became a Buddhist monk in resentment of King Sejo’s usurpation of the throne. Many writers including Gim Jeong-hui visited Jungheungsa Temple, and left verses. During the late period of the Joseon Dynasty, Jungheungsa Temple was closed due to floods and fire along with the fall of the country. Through long and hard work, Jungheungsa Temple has been recently reconstructed. The restored Jungheungsa Temple, along with Bukhansanseong Fortress, will become a great temple that protects the country and the religion.
- Address393 Daeseomun-gil, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
- Contact+82-2-355-4488
- Inquiryjhs3554488@hanmail.net