Yongheungsa (Sangju)

About this place

Yongheungsa is a traditional temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, situated on the mid-slope of the western side of Mount Gapjang. It is said to have been founded in the 1st year of King Munseong of Silla (839) by the National Preceptor Jingam. However, according to a record found in 1968 when the Geungnakbojeon hall was dismantled and repaired, the temple was founded by the monk Naong at the end of the Goryeo period, then rebuilt by the monk Beobinhwa in 1647 (25th year of King Injo), repaired a second time by the monks Sayu and Hongchi in 1680 (6th year of King Sukjong), a third time by the monks Sajun and Doin in 1707 (33rd year of King Sukjong), a fourth time in 1806 (6th year of King Sunjo), and a fifth time 161 years later. This record concerns the history of the Geungnakbojeon. Within the precincts are arranged halls such as the Geungnakbojeon, Nahanjeon, Samseonggak, monks' quarters, and Baegun Seonwon; the five-story stone pagoda standing in the precincts was erected on June 30, 1976, to enshrine sarira (relics) discovered in a Buddhist painting enshrined in the Geungnakbojeon. The gwaebul (large hanging Buddhist painting) it holds was made in 1684 (10th year of King Sukjong) and takes the form of a triad with Sakyamuni Buddha at the center, Amitabha Buddha on the right, and Bhaisajyaguru (Medicine Buddha) on the left.