Choamsa Temple (Yeongju)

About this place

Choamsa is a small temple nestled at the foot of a mountain along the Jukkye Nine Bends (Jukkye Gucok) valley. According to tradition, the Venerable Uisang of the Silla period, intending to build a national-protection temple, came to this scenic spot, put up a thatched hut as temporary quarters, chose the ideal site and then built Buseoksa Temple, after which he erected a temple at the site of the original thatched hut and called it Choamsa (literally 'thatched hermitage temple'). The temple was damaged in the Korean War and fell into decline, but was restored through the dedicated efforts of Venerable Iboeun, and now has a three-story stone pagoda (provincial tangible cultural heritage) and other relics. Choamsa is a pure sanctuary nestled in the deep quiet atmosphere of Sobaek Mountain, drawing the mind away from worldly distractions toward the world of serene meditation.