Legend tells that one day a golden fish came from Nirvana and has lived there ever since, so the temple's name became Where Fish from Nirvana Play.ˇ± 

It is recorded that Pomosa Temple was established by Master Uisang (625-702) in 678 CE during the reign of Shilla King Munmu (r. 661-681). During one of the Japanese invasions of the peninsula, the king had a dream in which he was told to get Master Uisang to chant for seven days and then establish a temple on Kumjongsan Mountain. The king did so and, at the end, the earth opened up and appeared and helped to drive away the Japanese.
Pomosa is very famous for its gates. The temple is laid out in an unusual manner. The upper level is around the Main Hall. The second level is around the Poje-ru, the Save all Beingsˇ±Hall and the lower part includes the three gates. The first gate, built in 1614, is called the One-Pillar Gate. One reason for the strange name is that, when you look from one side, the two pillars appear as one! Another is that all who enter are urged to search for the truth of the oneness of the mind. 

The second gate is the Four Guardians' Gate, where the four awesome protectors of the temple greet you. Of Hindu origin, these protectors are said to have helped Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha-to-be, to leave his father's house on the night of his renunciation by each taking hold of one hoof of Siddhartha's horse and lifting him over the palace walls. 

The guardian of the north, Tamun Ch'onwang, holds a pagoda, or tower, representing a stupa, symbolizing death. Chonjang Ch'onwang is the guardian of the southern quarter. He is reputed to have the power to multiply his sword so that he can always outnumber his opponents. Chikuk Ch'onwang guards the east. He is easily spotted by the lute he holds, the strings of which control wind, thunder, hail and other weather phenomena. The guardian of the west, Kwangmok Ch'onwang, holds a dragon in one hand and a jewel in the other. 

The third gate, the Gate of Non-Duality, represents the fact that, though the visitor is passing from the secular world into the spiritual world of the temple, these two worlds are not different from one another. 

The third level of the compound centers around the very beautiful Main Hall, rebuilt in 1614. On the ceiling, there are many carved flowers because of the legend that, whenever the Buddha teaches, flowers always fall from the heavens. 

There is a famous painting of Vairocana in Pomosa. It used to hang behind the statue but now it is in a separate building. The harmony of colors gives the viewer a lovely feeling when looking at the painting. 

Pomosa has two main stupas. The three-story stupa is from the Shilla Period, about 830 CE. The seven-story stupa is new. Relics of the Buddha, brought to Korea by as Indian monk, have been enshrined within it. 

In the mountains near Pomosa Temple, there are 11 different hermitages. Each one is very individual and delightful. Pomosa is a wonderful temple to visit because, as you climb up above the sprawling city of Pusan, you can enjoy the famous forest of wisteria trees. 


Pomosa Temple TEL : (051)503-3122~7

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