Dacheonsa Temple (Jeongeup)

About this place

Dacheonsa Temple sits midway up Hangga Mountain, accessible from the town center of Taein-myeon in Jeongeup. The temple, which has a zelkova tree over 500 years old, is said to stand on the site of an ancient monastery, and was founded around 1930 by the monk Byeoksan. Hangga Mountain is imbued with a Buddhist atmosphere — its name combines the character 'hang' from Ganges (Hangha) and the character 'ga' from Shakyamuni, meaning 'as many Buddhas as the sands of the Ganges.' The temple's name, Dacheonsa (茶泉寺), means 'a place with water clear enough to brew tea.' According to legend, when builders were preparing to construct a temple here, they found a well beside an old zelkova tree, and after cleaning it, discovered the characters '茶泉' (Dacheon — Tea Spring) carved on the rock. The spring water reportedly healed a leprosy patient who washed with it for 100 days of prayer. Nearby attractions include Taein Dongheon and Pihyangjeong Pavilion.