Sesimsa Temple (Asan)

About this place

Sesimsa is a temple on the western slope of Yeongin Mountain in northern Asan-si, connected by a forest road along the Jungsan Valley. Though set deep in the valley, it is a temple of considerable scale. There is a tradition that it was founded in 645 CE by the monk Jajang during the Baekje period, though this is uncertain. However, the existence of a multi-story pagoda from the Goryeo period confirms the temple was present at least by the Goryeo era. Originally called Sinsimsа, it was renamed Sesimsa in 1968. Buildings include a main hall (Daeungjeon), Yeongsanjeon, Sannyeongdang, a monks' hall (Yosa), and a bell pavilion (Beomjonggak). Cultural heritage in the precinct includes the Sesimsa multi-story pagoda (Chungcheongnam-do cultural heritage material), a Shinjungdo painting (Chungcheongnam-do intangible cultural heritage), and the woodblock for the Bulseol Daebu Bumo Eunjunggyeong (a national treasure), the oldest surviving woodblock edition of that text.