Bogwangsa (Cheongsong)

About this place

※ Please note before visiting that the Manseru pavilion was completely destroyed by a wildfire in March 2025. Cheongsong Bogwangsa is a temple belonging to the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, built during the Joseon period. Throughout the Joseon period it was operated in connection with guarding the tomb of the founding ancestor of the Cheongsong Sim clan. At present it is a branch temple of Eunhaesa, the head temple of the 10th diocese of the Jogye Order. Bogwangsa is said to have been founded in 668 (8th year of King Munmu of Silla) by the great monk Uisang, but there is no precise supporting evidence. According to the 'Yeojidoseo,' 'Bogwangsa lies five ri south of the government office,' and it is described as 'a temple guarding the tomb of Sim Hong-bu,' thus revealing that it was the votive temple of the Cheongsong Sim clan. Therefore, although records earlier than that are unknown, it can be confirmed that Bogwangsa was built in the 15th century as the guardian temple of Sim Hong-bu, and it is evident that the Geungnakjeon, Manseru, and Chumojae formed a single complex. At present, Bogwangsa consists of the Geungnakjeon, the Manseru, the monks' quarters Bobondang, a set of monks' quarters bearing the plaque of Chumojae as it was, the Sansingak, and other structures. Overall it follows the general architectural style of the late Joseon period. The Geungnakjeon of Bogwangsa is designated a Treasure. According to a ridge-beam inscription discovered during recent repair work, the Geungnakjeon is presumed to have been built in 1615. Its platform makes use of the sloping ground, set along the slope so that the front is high and the left side slightly lower than the front. Here too are the seated stone Amitabha triad statues and their votive objects in the Geungnakjeon, designated a Tangible Cultural Heritage of Gyeongsangbuk-do. The statues are the stone Amitabha triad, made of pyrophyllite, enshrined in the Geungnakjeon of Bogwangsa. Centered on the Amitabha statue in the middle, the Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva statue and the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva statue are placed to its left and right.