Bulgulsa (Gyeongsan)

About this place

Bulgulsa lies on the southern foot of Palgongsan Mountain and is a branch temple of Eunhaesa, the head temple of the 10th diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Its name arose from the fact that the Buddha was enshrined within a natural stone cave. Founded in the 10th year of King Sinmun of Silla (690), at its height it was a great temple with some 50 tile-roofed halls, 12 subsidiary hermitages, and 8 water mills, but it was swept away and lost in a flood in the 12th year of King Yeongjo of Joseon (1739); afterward it is said that an elderly monk from Songgwangsa in Jeolla-do rebuilt it. Within the grounds are the three-story stone pagoda of Bulgulsa designated a Treasure, the Jeongmyeolbogung enshrining the Buddha's true relics, and the standing Bhaisajyaguru Buddha stupa, among others; passing the refectory, going up 108 steps, and climbing for about 10 minutes, there is a cave said to be where Master Wonhyo practiced asceticism, called Wonhyogul or Hongjuam. The spring within the cave was created in the Silla period, and the phrase "Adong Jeil Yaksu" (the finest spring in Adong) is clearly carved there. According to oral tradition this spring is also called Janggunsu (general's water), and it is known as the place where General Kim Yu-sin prayed for the wish of unifying the Three Kingdoms while drinking this water. Remarkably, it is said that when there is a rainy spell around Bulgulsa, the face of the Buddha statue sweats, and especially before a heavy rain the whole body of the statue becomes drenched.