Wibongsa Temple (Wanju)

About this place

Wibongsa Temple is an ancient temple located on Wibongsan (Chujulsan) Mountain in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do. It was reconstructed at the end of the Goryeo period by Monk Naong, and during King Sejo of Joseon's reign, two monks Seonsuk and Seokjam performed further repairs. After another major reconstruction of over 60 bays of buildings by the monk Poryeondaesa in the late Joseon period, in 1312 it was one of 31 head temples nationwide (key temples of a particular sect or order) and oversaw some 50 sub-temples in the Jeonbuk area. Following Liberation, rapid deterioration set in through the Korean War. Just before the temple was completely abandoned in 1988, Monk Beopjeung was appointed and immediately began restoring the grounds, repairing the dilapidated Bogwangmyeongjeon and Gwaneuijeon, and with the support of many donors, newly constructed over 100 bays of buildings. Today the temple has Bogwangmyeongjeon, Geungnakjeon, Gwaneuijeon, Samseong-gak, Nawoldang, and living quarters (yosachae), with 50 to 60 resident monastics maintaining the look of a major temple.