Guijeongsa Temple (Namwon)

About this place

Guijeongsa is a Buddhist temple founded in 515 CE (the 15th year of King Munyeong of Baekje) by the National Preceptor Hyono, originally named Manhaengsa. A Baekje king later visited and was so moved by the sermon of the great monk that he stayed for three days to oversee affairs of state, and thereafter the temple was renamed Guijeongsa ('Temple of Returning to Governance'). The king left an inscription saying 'I share life and death with the monk.' In 1221, the second White Lotus Society was established at Guijeongsa at the request of the governor of Daebang (the old name for Namwon). The temple was greatly restored by the monk Daeun in 1002, and again in 1468 (the 14th year of King Sejo of Joseon); however, all structures were lost in the Imjin and Jeongyu Wars. Restored by Master Selje in 1664 and repaired again in 1804, the old buildings were all destroyed during the Korean War. Since 2006, the temple has served as the base for the new Engaged Buddhist movement, Indramang Life Community, with reconstruction including a new main hall, Manha-ngdang, Gwaneum-jeon, Sansingak, bell pavilion, and various programs including a farming school and community shelter.