Chamdangam Hermitage (Gochang)

About this place

Chamdangam Hermitage (Repentance Hall) is reached by following the mountain path to the right after leaving Seonunsa Temple. Although it has now been relegated to the status of a hermitage within Seonunsa, among all the hermitages (saam) of Seonunsa it was the first to be founded, and its original name was either 'Chamdangsa' or 'Daechamsa' (Great Repentance Temple) — once a major temple in its own right. It was founded by the monk Uiun Seonsa. Over the Goryeo period it underwent multiple renovations. After Seonunsa became the central monastery of the mountain area from the reign of King Seongjong of Joseon (r. 1469-1494), Chamdangam's prestige declined. Within the hermitage compound there is a Daeungjeon (main hall) which was designated as a Treasure on November 30, 1984. The Gochang Seonunsa Chamdangam Daeungjeon is said to have been built by the monk Uimun at the request of King Jinpyeong of Silla. The main hall is three bays by three bays with a gabled roof (maengbaejibung) on all sides. The bracket sets are of the multi-cluster type (dapo), with clusters both atop and between the pillars — a structure that uses Goryeo-period members on the rear face, probably recycled during a later renovation.