Bongeunsa Temple

Bongeunsa Temple is located south of the Han River in the midst of the urban bustle of Seoul. It is one of the few large-scale urban temples found in the country. Bongeunsa was founded in 794 by Yeon-hoe, then the highest ranking monk of the Silla dynasty. At that time the temple was called Kyongseoungsa. The temple fell into disrepair during the Goryeo Dynasty but was rebuilt in 1498 under the patronage of the Queen of Joseon.

During the Joseon Dynasty, Buddhism was not strongly encouraged, but had a brief lull in the mid-16th century during the reign of Queen Munjeong, who acted as regent for King Myeongjong. At that time, the Queen rebuilt Bongeunsa and appointed the monk Bo-wu in 1548 to oversee the temple. In 1551, Bongeunsa became the main temple of the Jogye lineage. Bo-wu died soon after, when anti-Buddhist elements killed him after the Queen's regency ended.

In 1855, the monk Young-ki completed the woodblock prints on the Flower Garland inscription. These can still be seen in one of the shrine's corridors, which fortunately escaped destruction during the Korean War.

Bongeunsa was one of the 14 great temples of Korea in 1902. During the Japanese occupation, the temple became the headquarters of 80 smaller Buddhist temples around Seoul. In 1922 and 1929, Bongeunsa Chief Cheong-ho saved more than 700 people from drowning in the Han River, an act that inspired the relic to be recognized. After being colonized, Bongeunsa was collected by the Jogye sect – the largest Buddhist sect in Korea.

Today, Bongeunsa Temple is home to 3,479 Buddhist scriptures of 13 types, including the work of Kim Jeong-hui, one of the most famous practitioners of calligraphy, inscription researcher, and scholar of the period. Joseon. The Buddhist ceremony known as Jeongdaebulsa is held on the 9th day of the 8th lunar month, where monks march with scriptures on their heads and recite Beopseongge (Buddhist rituals). Every April or May, Bongeunsa Temple holds the Yeondeunghoe festival - a lotus lantern festival to celebrate Buddha's birthday.

Address: 531, Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

Opening hours: daily 03:00 - 22:00

Ticket price: - Free to visit

- Thursday from 14:00 - 16:00: English tour guide with making lotus lanterns and enjoying tea ceremony: 10,000 won.