Yuha Temple (Andong)

About this place

Yuha Temple (龍夏寺) is a Buddhist temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism (16th District) located in Waryong-myeon, Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and is a branch temple of Gounsa — the 16th district head temple. It was founded in August 1897 by the lay Buddhist Wolseon (月仙), and an interesting legend accompanies the temple. According to tradition, the temple was built to help a dragon (臥龍, Waryong — 'Reclining Dragon') that failed to ascend to heaven complete its ascension, and the temple's name incorporates the character '夏' (summer/active), meaning 'the dragon is actively soaring,' giving rise to the name 'Yuha-sa' (龍夏寺). Key halls within the temple include the Daeungjeon (main hall), Yonghwajeon, Haetalmun, Beopgiheon (enshrining a Manjushri bodhisattva painting), and a residential hall (yosachae). At the entrance of the temple on the hillside stands the Wolseon Bosal Ginyeombi (memorial stele for the founding lay Buddhist Wolseon) and the Musim Daesa Budobi (memorial stupa stele for the master Musim). Yuha Temple, where deep history, tradition, and legend reside, is a precious space where visitors can experience Buddhist faith and nature together in the tranquility of a mountain hermitage.