Dongguksa Temple (Gunsan)

About this place

Dongguksa (東國寺) was founded in 1909 by Japanese monk Seoneumbulgwan (Naiden Fukan) and operated for 36 years of the Japanese colonial period by Japanese monks, before returning to Korean hands on August 15, 1945. It is the only remaining Japanese-style Buddhist temple in Korea, distinguished by the fact that the main hall (Daeungjeon) and the monks' quarters (yosachae) are connected by an indoor corridor. Unlike Korean temples with their colorful dancheong (decorative paintwork), the plain eaves and numerous windows on the main hall's exterior walls are characteristic of Japanese Buddhist architecture. It is a branch temple of Seonunsa Temple in Gochang (the 24th district of the Jogye Order), and the Daeungjeon was designated a national registered cultural heritage in July 2003. The temple's original name was Geumgangseonsа. Geumgangseonsа was a temple of the Soto Zen sect (Sotoshu), established in 1909 when the Japanese monk Naiden Fukan opened a missionary station in Gunsan. Japanese Buddhism began entering Korea in 1877 with the opening of Busan port. In 1911, the Government-General of Joseon issued the Temple Ordinance on June 3, prompting Japanese Buddhist sects to establish branch temples, branch offices, and missionary stations nationwide. In 1913 the temple was relocated to its current site.