Hyegwangsa Temple (Gyeongsan)

About this place

Hyegwangsa Temple, affiliated with the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism, was founded in 1931. The temple building is said to have been the guest house of the Joseon-era Jainhyeon County, relocated by a Japanese monk called 'Tuhyeon' during the Japanese colonial period to its current location to be used as a Japanese-style temple for propagating Japanese Buddhism. After liberation, a Korean monk named Hyegwang who had lived in Japan came to reside here, dismantled Japanese-style Buddhism, and registered the temple with the Cheontae Order, naming it Hyegwangsa after the head monk's dharma name. Since 1975, head monk Hyemun has continued to serve at this temple, rebuilding the Daeungjeon (main hall) and transforming the temple into its current appearance.