Eunjeoksa Temple (Gimje)

About this place

Eunjeoksa is a temple of the Taego Order of Korean Buddhism, located below Guseongsan Mountain in Sambong-ri Village, about 4 km from the national road between Gimje's Geumgu district and Jeongeup, with a further 500 m climb. The spacious grounds on flat land above Sambong-ri Village are dominated by the imposing main hall (Daeungjeon). The temple's name means 'accumulating grace.' Said to have been founded during the Goryeo period, the temple declined during the Joseon dynasty due to the policy of suppressing Buddhism and promoting Confucianism. It was rebuilt on October 3, 1931. A new Dharma hall was newly built on May 26, 1928, and the old Dharma hall began to be used as a guesthouse. The old Dharma hall building is now used as the Nahanجeon Hall. A bell pavilion stands in the middle of the courtyard, with the monks' quarters on the side. The current head monk Jeong Bong-do, who entered the monastic life and rebuilt the temple through his own efforts, completed the Eunjeoksa of today within ten years.