In 1190, Master Chinul realized his life-long wish to create a situation in which like-minded people could live and practice Buddhism together. For seven years they lived in a small temple but, as the community grew, Master Chinul looked for the ideal place to move. In order to find the right place, he carved a crane out of wood and it flew away and finally landed in the place where Songgwangsa is today. 
There he built a small hermitage on Mount Chogyesan which he  expanded to accommodate his growing community and it became Songgwangsa. The Masters' Portrait Hall was built where the bird actually landed and the temple came to represent the followers of the Buddha. 

Initially, Songgwangsa grew very large, but it was destroyed many times between the 16th century and the Korean War. The temple was always repaired and rebuilt many times but it never returned to its former glory. In 1988, however, the monk-in-charge worked hard to re-establish the former greatness of the temple by restoring it according to the original foundations. Fourteen buildings were reconstructed including the magnificent Main Hall.

Usually the Main Hall is the highest building, but in Songgwangsa that is not so. The Teaching Hall, the Masters' Portrait Hall and the residence of the Spiritual Leader are in the highest positions in Songgwangsa because this is one of the Three Jewels Temples, making it different from other temples.

In the Main Hall, the three main statues are the past Buddha,  Dipankara, the present-day Buddha, Sakyamuni, and the future Buddha, Maitreya. 
Just near the residence of the Spiritual Leader of Songgwangsa is his assistant's house. This little house dates from the 15th century and has a traditional chimney on the roof. It is one of the oldest living quarters in Korea. 

Two bridges span a picturesque stream that flows in front of the temple entrance; the arch-covered one is considered architecturally unusual. In front of the main bridge-entrance into the temple, there are two small houses completely separate from the rest of the temple. Opinions vary on their purpose. Some say they were for keeping the names and remains of the dead who had specially asked to be kept near the temple for a period of regret after their death. 

Others say they were the place in which, after a bath, members of the royal family donned their wedding clothes just before marriage. These houses are unique to Songgwangsa.

The late Master Kusan (1901-1983) set up an International Zen Center at Songgwangsa Temple. Many foreigners who wished to experience life in a Zen temple were attracted to that beautiful place; today, people still go from all over the world to live and practice there.

Sonamsa, a temple on the other side of Chogyesan Mountain, is well worth a visit, too. 


Songgwangsa Temple TEL : (0661)755-0107~9

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