Bocheonsa Temple (Gunsan)

About this place

Bocheonsa Temple in Gunsan, located at the foot of Chuksungsan Mountain, has no surviving records of its exact founding date, but is said to have been built by Hyegong in the 24th year of King Jinheung of Silla (602) and rebuilt by Master Naong in the 1st year of King Gongmin of Goryeo (1352). It is unlikely that a Silla monk came to build a temple in Baekje territory during this period, and since Master Naong is known to have been in the Yuan dynasty of China in 1352, these are considered to be legends. However, many Goryeo-period roof tiles have been discovered in fields around the temple, confirming that it was in operation during the Goryeo period. In 1924, a Japanese buyer secretly purchased the temple's hall building and Buddhist statue, and the main buildings' decorative carvings were taken to Japan. The current Bocheonsa buildings were rebuilt on a hill adjacent to the old site in 1936 and repaired in 1971.