Sinansa Temple (Geumsan)

About this place

Sinansa is located on the mountain ridge descending from Guksa Peak (677 m) of Sineumsan Mountain in Jeam-myeon, Geumsan-gun. It was founded by the monk Muyeom in the 5th year of King Jinpyeong of Silla (583 CE). The character meaning 'body' (身) in the temple name derives from King Gyeongsun (r. 927–935), who sometimes stayed here while studying at Yeonguksa Temple on the eastern flank of Cheonta Mountain, and said 'I feel at ease in body and mind here.' Today the scenery and atmosphere that King Gyeongsun would have seen and felt remain unchanged after a thousand years. Sinansa once had Daegwangjeon, Jinhyanggak, Geungnakjeon, and Yomukdang halls, but now only Daegwangjeon and Geungnakjeon remain. Ten Buddhist statues were once enshrined but were destroyed by war; five were moved to other temples and five remain, described as masterpieces of Joseon art that inspire devotion in worshippers. At its peak, around 3,000 student monks studied here. All scriptures and implements were destroyed during the Korean War. The valley stream flowing in front of the temple remains beautiful as ever.