Ssanggyesa Temple (Nonsan)

About this place

Ssanggyesa Temple in Nonsan is a Buddhist temple located at the foot of Bulmyeong Mountain, a branch of Daedun Mountain. According to temple records, it was founded by Monk Hyemyeong, who also built the Stone Maitreya Bodhisattva at Gwanchoksa Temple (National Treasure), though local legend holds that a son of the Jade Emperor descended from heaven to choose the temple site. The temple enshrines a Treasure-designated main hall (Daeungjeon) famous for its flower-patterned latticework carved in six motifs including lotus and peony flowers. It also contains a Treasure-designated Seated Shakyamuni Buddha Triad in clay. The current compound centers on the Daeungjeon, with the Nahanjeon and Chilseong-gak to its left, and the Myeongbujeon and Yosa to its right and front. At the temple entrance stands a stupa group and a rebuilding stele, both designated as Chungnam cultural heritage materials.