Manilsa Temple (Sunchang)

About this place

Manilsa, located at the foot of Hoemunsan Mountain in Anjeong-ri, Gurim-myeon, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, is a temple first built during the reign of King Mu of Baekje (673) and rebuilt in the early Joseon period by the Great Monk Muhak before Yi Seong-gye became king. After it was completely destroyed during the Korean War, it was rebuilt in 1954, and in 1998 a one-pillar gate (Iljumun), a main hall (Daeungjeon), and monks' quarters (yosachae), one building each, were erected. The name Manilsa (Ten-Thousand-Day Temple) originates from the story that the Great Monk Muhak prayed here for ten thousand days in order to help Yi Seong-gye ascend the throne. There is a monument recording this account (175 cm high, 65 cm wide, 16 cm thick), and below the temple one can look out over Sanan Village and beautiful ranges of peaks such as Mujiksan and Seongmisan.