Sangiam Hermitage (Imsil)

About this place

Sangiam Hermitage on Seongsusa Mountain was founded by National Preceptor Doseon during the 1st year of King Heongang of Silla (875) and was originally called Doseonam. It was later renovated in the 3rd year of King Taejo of the Joseon dynasty (1394) by Master Gakyo, but was damaged by fire during the Donghak Revolution of 1894, and then rebuilt in 1909 by Kim Daegeon. According to the 'Seongsusa Sangiam Temple History,' in 894 King Taejo Wanggeon of Goryeo, at the age of 17, prayed here for 100 days and then 3 more days with National Preceptor Doseon, and King Taejo Yi Seong-gye of Joseon, after his great victory at the Battle of Hwangsan (1380), stopped here on his way home and prayed for 3 days, during which a heavenly spirit descended and called out 'Seongsumanse' three times. Taejo Yi then renamed the temple 'Sangiam.' Inscribed stones in the grounds include the 'Hwanhuiam' stele attributed to Goryeo Taejo and the 'Samcheongdong' stele attributed to Joseon Taejo.