On our final day of our trip, the last stop we visited was Jinwansa Temple. Jingwansa Temple (진관사) in Bukhansan National Park offers the genuine quiet of the mountains, a history directly tied to Korean royalty, and a story of resistance that only came to light in 2009.
Jingwansa Temple is one of the four Buddhist temples that surround Seoul. It was known as the center of Buddhism and academics. Jingwansa Temple is home to a variety of buildings, such as Daeungjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, and Nahanjeon Hall, all surrounded by the beautiful nature of Bukhansan Mountain.
Jingwansa Temple is one of Seoul’s most important spiritual centers, boasting a history dating back thousands of years to the Goryeo Dynasty, around 1010.
Its founding is linked to an act of royal gratitude: King Hyeonjong (the eighth monarch of Goryeo) ordered its construction to honor the monk Jingwan. Apparently, Jingwan had saved his life when he was a young prince in exile and threatened during a power struggle.
Thanks to this royal origin, the temple enjoyed protection and special status from its inception. Furthermore, during the subsequent Joseon Dynasty, its position was solidified as one of the “four great temples of the Seoul suburbs,” as mentioned earlier. Thus, it served as the spiritual guardian of the western part of the capital, Hanyang.
The peace and tranquility can be felt in this surrounding.
All too soon, it was time to head to the airport. Thank you for the memories Korea. Will definitely be back to explore other areas of Korea.
