Naksansa Temple

A Spiritual Oasis

Naksansa temple evoked a deep sense of tranquility within me. The serene atmosphere of the temple complex made me happy and light hearted by the time I exited the temple premises. The location of the temple, no doubt, is ethereal and there is a spiritual vibe to the entire place.

Researchers say that temples are built in places with fields of positive energy and the spiritual energy of such places can elevate your mind to a higher consciousness. Naksansa too emanates these vibes and rightly so. It does have a rich spiritual history.

Where is Naksansa temple located?

It is located between Sokcho and Yangyang, in the eastern part of South Korea.

• Address: 100 Naksansa-ro, Ganghyeon-myeon, Yangyang, Gangwon-do
• Website: http://www.naksansa.or.kr/web/home.php
• Entrance fee: 3000 KRW (can change)
• Operating hours: 06:00–17:30 (visitors must exit the complex by 18:30)
• Holiday: N/A (Open all year round)
• Inquiries: Hongnyeonam Hermitage: +82-33-672-2475 / 2478 .Templestay: +82-33-672-2417
• Parking: Available
• Time taken to see the temple: 1-1.5 hours

Reaching Naksansa from Seoul

Naksansa temple is situated around 180 Kms and is a 2-hour drive from Seoul by your own vehicle or around 3 hours by bus. Put in the address in Kakao map or Naver and you are good to go.

One can also take a bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho or Yangyang. From there, direct buses (Line 9) ply to Naksan beach frequently. From the beach, one can see the temple sitting on the cliff, a short walk away . Alternatively, taxis are readily available from the bus terminals and provide a convenient means of transportation.

The History and Legend of Naksansa temple

Naksansa is a 1300-year old Buddhist temple on the eastern coast of South Korea. It was founded in AD 671 by an eminent early Silla (dynasty) scholar monk, Uisang. Situated on the slopes of Naksan mountain facing the Sea of Japan, it is a very beautiful coastal temple and is considered one of the eight scenic must-visit spots of Gwandong.

The Seawater Avalokitesvara Statue, Wontongbojeon, Uisangdae, and Hongnyeonam Hermitage are the major landmarks of Naksansa Temple. Read on to know the history and legend of this temple and I am sure you will enjoy the temple all the more when you visit it.

There is a fascinating legend behind this temple. The legend goes that Uisang was meditating near the cave where Avalokiteshwara (The Bodhisattva of Compassion) is believed to have resided in a grotto along with a guardian dragon. After praying patiently and repeatedly for the Avalokiteshwara to give him ‘darshan’, (darshan means to appear before a devotee in a physical form) his wish was partially granted. The bodhisattva appeared rather vaguely before him and instructed him to climb up the mountain to find two bamboo trees. Saying this, the bodhisattva disappeared and Uisang found the chosen spot. The main temple today is constructed at that very spot, and is known as the Wontongbojeon.

Wontongbojeon (Hall of Dharma)

The Goryeo-Style Pagoda

The pagoda in front of the wontongbojeon, initially had just 3 tiers when it is was originally constructed. It was rebuilt in 1467 by King Sejo of the Joseon dynasty to a 7-storey pagoda. It is made up of granite with a bronze top and houses important relics of Buddhism. However, the pagoda you see today, is the restored work after the devasting 2005 fire which had engulfed the Naksansa temple.

This Goryeo-style pagoda structure is particularly significant in light of the spread of Confucianism during the Joseon rule which brought about a decline in the Goryeo style architecture and other prevalent Buddhist art forms of that era. Restoring it, is in a way, reconnecting with the ancient Goryeo architecture 🙂

A panoramic view of the Naksansa temple with the Seawater Goddess in the background and the Wontongbojeon in the fore.

Uisangdae (Uisang’s Pavilion)

The octagonal Uisangdae pavilion is built at the place where Uisang is believed to have meditated. Beside a cliff by the sea, the place is divinely beautiful. Take a look yourself…

Hongnyeonam (Red Lotus Hermitage)

The hermitage sits on the cliff which houses the natural grotto where the Avalokiteshwara had resided with a dragon. People believe that even today, a dragon resides in the grotto below. Hongnyeonam hermitage has a glass window opening towards the grotto. It is believed that if you see a dragon below from this window, all your wishes can come true. Devotees try hard to see the dragon and often get pestered by tourists who ask them to come out quickly.

This structure escaped the fire of 2005. Luckily, the fire just ended next to it before it could damage the hermitage.

Sea Goddess Huanyin or Avalokiteshwara & Stupa

As per Chinese mythology, Guanyin is the female embodiment of Avalokiteshwara, the bodhisattva of compassion. She is the Goddess of Mercy, with a lotus in her hand, who alleviates the sufferings of people in this very world. Avalokiteshwara is a male bodhisattva as per Mahayana Buddhism (The Indian Buddhism) who is the Lord of this world and who cares for all living beings.

For the uninitiated, bodhisattvas are enlightened beings or Buddhas who procrastinate their Nirvana and choose to stay on earth to help Buddhists attain the path of enlightenment.

This statue of Guanyin is 15 m tall and sits on the summit of the Naksansa mountain facing the sea. Seoraksan and Naksan beach are visible from here on a clear day.

There is a ‘sarira stupa’ right next to it which preserved the remnants/relics of the Buddha. Although the sarira stupa was destroyed in the 2005 fire, the discovered artifacts from the stupa threw light on the ancient practices at Naksansa.

Botajeon

The Botajeon hall sits right across the lotus pond near the path coming to the temple from the parking lot. It symbolizes a Guanyin holy site and has 7 main statues of the goddess and houses another 1500 smaller statues of the goddess in it.

Destroyed but Not Defeated

This temple has a rather painful history of getting ravaged multiple times, including in the Korean war of 1953 and then in the recent fire of 2005. However, it has been restored time and again and stands beautifully today portraying its admirable resilience.

Many things stand changed though.The bronze bell of the temple lost its ‘National Treasure’ status in one such fire and sits in a museum today. It has been replaced with a ‘not so exact’ replica which is hung in the temple complex.

Luckily, the entrance pavilion, known as the Gate of The Four Guardian Kings, who are supposed to protect the temple and its teachings, was not damaged in the war of 1953 nor in 2005.

The Sea Goddess Avalokiteshwara statue at the summit too escaped the fire which reached all the way to the Stupa next to it.

Hope you enjoyed reading about this temple. Click here to read more of my South Korea travelogues.