Gagwonsa Temple

About this place

Gagwonsa Temple in Cheonan, Chungcheongnam-do, was founded in 1975 through the devoted donations of Buddhist believers and many citizens wishing for the reunification of North and South Korea. The temple is home to a great bronze Buddha standing 15 m tall, 30 m in circumference, with ears 175 cm long and weighing 60 tons of bronze. Facing west with Taejosan Peak behind it, the statue greets all sentient beings with a compassionate smile. To the left of the seated Buddha stands the main hall (Daeungjeon), Korea's largest, along with other temple buildings arranged in orderly fashion, making it a famous prayer destination. Gagwonsa is also celebrated as a premier cherry blossom site, where luxurious double-petaled, single-petaled, and weeping cherry blossoms bloom in profusion before the great bronze Buddha.