Ansimsa Temple (Wanju)

About this place

Ansimsa Temple is located in Wanjang-ri, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, on the slopes of Daedun Mountain, and is a branch temple of Geumsansa, the head temple of the 17th district of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order. The temple on the eastern slopes of the provincial park of Daedun Mountain evokes the impermanence of time. Before the Korean War, this was a great temple with as many as 30-some halls and 13 hermitages, but the former grandeur can no longer be seen — only scattered stone materials burned during the war remain. Ansimsa is especially renowned as a jeokmeol bogung (a sacred hall enshrining the actual relics of the Buddha), housing 10 body relics and 1 tooth relic of the Buddha. The stupa (budo-tap) is bell-shaped, standing 175 cm tall with a circumference of 315 cm, decorated with lotus designs on the base stone, and topped with a wish-granting jewel. The four corners of this sarira stupa are uniquely guarded by individual statues of the Four Heavenly Kings. Elevated from its previous classification as a Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage, it has been upgraded in recent times to a National Treasure designation. In autumn, Ansimsa is especially picturesque, with red persimmons growing plentifully throughout the village.