Heungboksa Temple (Gimje)

About this place

Heungboksa is a branch temple of Geumsansa, the head temple of the 17th district of the Korean Buddhist Jogye Order. According to the temple records, it was founded in 650 CE (10th year of King Uija of Baekje) by Boddeok, a monk who had traveled from Goguryeo, originally under the name Sunggasa. The temple underwent many cycles of renovation and reconstruction, but its detailed history has been lost. In 1597 (30th year of King Seonjo), the temple was completely burned during the Jeongyu War (the second Japanese invasion) and fell into ruins. In 1625 (3rd year of King Injo), a lay practitioner named Heungbok who lived in Gimje received a spiritual calling and rebuilt the Geuknakjeon (Pure Land Hall) as a prayer hall, renaming the temple Heungboksa. The temple was reconstructed on a large scale between 1976 and 1979. Within the compound, visitors can find the Daeungjeon (main hall), Mitajeon, Mireukjeon, Samseong-gak, Sacheonwang-jeon, Jeonghyewon (monks' quarters), and other buildings. In the temple grounds there is a sacred 600-year-old Shindansu tree and a well called Seolcheon.