Eunjeoksa Temple (Gunsan)

About this place

Eunjeoksa Temple is the oldest Baekje-period temple in Jeollabuk-do. Also known as Cheonbangsa and Seonrimsa, it is a branch temple of Geumsansa, the head temple of the 17th district of the Jogye Order. Located at the foot of Seollimsan (Seollim Mountain) in Soryong-dong, Gunsan-si, the temple is said to have been founded in 613 (the 14th year of King Mu of Baekje, the 35th year of King Jinpyeong of Silla) by the Silla monk Wonwang. It was subsequently rebuilt by National Preceptor Jeongjin in 952 (the 3rd year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo), again by the eminent monk Naong in 1373 (the 22nd year of King Gongmin), then reconstructed by Seon Master Bogyeong in 1781 (the 5th year of King Jeongjo), and rebuilt again by Seon Master Heo-ong in 1937. The main wooden Buddha seated statue (Jeollabuk-do Tangible Cultural Heritage) enshrined in the Daeungjeon was a large wooden seated statue made in 1629 (the 7th year of King Injo) by Monk Sujong, showing the characteristic features of late Joseon Buddhist sculpture. The work features Sakyamuni Buddha in the center, flanked by Manjushri and Samantabhadra bodhisattvas.