Geumsansa Temple

Introduction of tourist site

Moaksan Mountain, where Geumsansa Temple(金山寺) is located, is a famous mountain of Gimje and has the marvelous views because it is remote and wide. Geumsansa Temple has been the one of four scenic views四景 of Honam because it is located in the famous mountain Moaksan Mountain.

In 599(Beop 1 of Baekje), a small toran was opened to pray for the peace of the country and good fortune of royal family, and in the ninth century, the Unified Silla Period, it was rebuilt by Jinpyo眞表 Yulsa and became a Buddhist temple to represent maitreya faith. Afterwards Geumsansa Temple had been a large Buddhist temple from 762 to 766 supported by Gyeongdeok of Silla and the royal family. In 935, Later Three Kingdoms Period, Kyeonhweon of Post Baekje was confined in Geumsansa Temple, so we can know that it was still a largest temple in the area.

In the 33rd year of Munjong of Goryeo(1079), Hyedeokwangsa appointed as a chief monk reached its height by the rational system divided a Buddhist temple into three parts including Daesa area to control the whole area of Buddhist temple, Gwanggyowon area for engraving, Buddhist scriptures lecture and training Buddhist ceremony and Bongcheonwon area where stupa and tombstone were enshrined and great Buddhist monks annotated.

In Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, the 25th year of Seonjo of Joseon, Geumsansa as a training ground of 1500 monk soldiers around Noemukcheoyeong(雷默處英) monk who protected the country and people in danger did not suffered from attack due to the devoted activities of the monk soldiers. However, in Jeongyujaeran(1597), 80 buildings and more than 40 hermitages in the magnificent three areas were reduced to ashes by the revenge of Japanese navies.

In the 31st year of Seonjo(1601), the Buddhist Great Master Sumun(守文大師) started the restoration of the Buddhist temple with 15 great Buddhist monks. After 35 years, in the 13th year of Injo(1635), Daesa area was completed including Daejeokgwangjeon Hall enshrined five Buddhas and six Bodhisattvas, Mireukjeon Hall enshrined Maitreya which is 39 cheok tall, Daejangjeon Hall changed a pagoda in front of Mireukjeon Hall in Jinpyo Yulsa into a building, etc.

In the 1st year of Yeongjo(1725), a Buddhist monk Jian gathered 1400 monks and gave a lecture on the Avatamska Sutra. In the early Gojong Gwangmu, Yongmyeonghwasang(龍溟和尙) appointed as the chief monk died a martyr attacked by miners who tried to destroy Saritapji which is Bangdeung stair. Geumsansa Temple in a long history over 1400 years controls about 70 branch temples as a headquarter of 17 dioceses of the Jogye Order and is a repository of cultural assets with one national treasure and 10 treasures.