Ongnyeonsa Temple (Uiseong)

About this place

Ongnyeonsa is a temple belonging to Gounsa, the head temple of the 16th diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The temple was founded by Deogun during the reign of King Heungdeok of Silla. There is also a theory that Master Uisang founded it together with Juwolsa and Unramsa. The name Ongnyeonsa originates from the fact that lotus flowers bloom as beautifully as jewels in the pond below the temple. It was rebuilt by Pyeonjo during the reign of King Gongmin of Goryeo, and although it was destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of 1592, it was rebuilt for the third time by Okgeon in 1605 (the 38th year of King Seonjo). The Geungnakjeon was reconstructed in 1661 (the 2nd year of King Hyeonjong) and in 1935 respectively, and was repaired again in 1980 and 1993. In 1997 the monks' quarters were newly built, and in recent times the Samseonggak and Gobuljeon were newly built. Within the grounds there are a five-story stone pagoda, the Geungnakjeon, the Samseonggak, the Gobuljeon, the temple office, the monks' quarters, and other halls. Also, Ongnyeonsa houses the Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha of Ongnyeonsa in Uiseong, designated as Tangible Cultural Heritage of Gyeongsangbuk-do. The statue measures 132 cm in total height, 25 cm in head height, 25 cm in knee height, and 93 cm in knee width. Judging from features such as its voluminous bodily contours, the curved and formalized folds of the robe, the block-like composition of the body, the gentle and dignified expression on a well-rounded face, and the transmission-of-the-dharma mudra, it well reflects the stylistic characteristics of the Joseon period and is presumed to be a work from just before the Japanese invasions of 1592.