Apart from this legend, the founding of the temple seems shrouded in mystery. One thing is certain, Master Naong definitely had a lot to do with this temple. He was a remarkable man and his story is woven into almost every aspect of Shilluksa. Master Naong was a celebrated Zen master who formed his own school of thought using very dynamic teaching methods and was also appointed King's Teacher.ˇ±He lived most of his life at Shilluksa. At his death, clouds of five colors covered the mountain and there was rain from a cloudless  sky falling on the temple. When the body was cremated, it yielded innumerable relics which were enshrined in a special bell-shaped stupa. 

The tomb of King Sejong (r. 1418-1450) was moved to Yojuin 1469 and it was decided that Shilluksa would become the royal memorial temple for the king and the royal family. The temple was extensively restored in 1472 when about 200 rooms were repaired or built. 

After that many Confucian scholars passed time at the temple until the 16th century Japanese and 17th century Chinese invasions which left most of the temple in ruins. The final rebuilding was in 1928. 

The Main Hall is a Paradise Hall enshrining Amitabha Buddha, Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Practice, and Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The calligraphy board which hangs there is the writing of Master Naong and it says Hundreds of Millions of Years.ˇ±On the left wall there is a painting of Ksitigarbha with entourage and on the back wall is an altar for death and memorial ceremonies. Above the table there is a picture of Ch'ilsong, the Seven Buddhas. 

One more picture shows the guardian of the Buddha's teachings, Shinch'ung. He is accompanied by gods, ministers and officials. Especially beautiful is the Judgment Hall with Ksitigarbha and the ten kings. Attending the kings are various servants and behind them are the pictures of the different hells with their tortures. In the compound of the house where the head monk lives, there is a special trestle garden which dates from 1468. 

Also in the same compound there is a statue of Master Naong. Behind the statue there is a picture of the master with Masters Muhak (1321-1405) and Chi-gong (?-1363). Muhak was an advisor of Yi T'ae-jo, who founded the Choson Dynasty. Yi T'ae-jo moved the capital to Seoul according to advice from Master Muhak, who was a famous geomancer. Master Chi-gong was an Indian monk who, Tibetan monks believe, was an incarnation of a Tibetan lama. He came to Korea in 1328. Other remembrances of Master Naong include a marvelous ginkgo tree planted by the master at the foot of the hill. Also the master's meditation place by the South Han-gang River is marked by a pavilion next to a little pagoda. To the east of the monastery is a hill on which is a seven-story, brick pagoda which is 9.4 meters high and is the only existing Koryo brick pagoda. It was erected in honor of the famous monk Wonhyo, who visited Shilluksa. The base is granite and the rest is brick with various impressed floral decorations. 

Shilluksa Temple TEL : (0337) 85-2505

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