Founded by Wonhyo Daesa during the reign of King Muyeol of Silla
Destroyed by fire in 1609 and rebuilt as 'Naewonsa'
Empirical evidence discovered in October 2020, approved by Jogye Order
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Naewonsa Temple in Sancheong, which was believed to have been first established over 1,360 years ago under the name ‘Deoksansa,’ has regained its original name following the discovery of tangible evidence such as roof tiles.
According to Sancheong County in Gyeongnam Province and the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism on the 5th, Sancheong’s Naewonsa Temple, located in Jangdang Valley, Daepo-ri, Samjang-myeon, has been officially renamed and registered under its original name, ‘Deoksansa.’
According to the Deoksansa information board, it is recorded that Monk Wonhyo first established the temple in the 4th year of King Muyeol of Silla (657). Later, Muyeom Guksa (801?888), who was called the Great Bodhisattva of the East, resided there, attracting numerous practitioners.
However, about 1,000 years later, in the 1st year of King Gwanghae’s reign (1609), the temple was completely destroyed by an unknown fire, leaving only the temple site. It is said that in 1959, Monk Wongyeong rebuilt the temple and renamed it Naewonsa.
Until now, aside from historical records, no evidence had been found to prove that the current Naewonsa was built on the site of Deoksansa, so Naewonsa had not reclaimed its original name.
In October of last year, during a trial excavation to verify the location of the Daeungjeon Hall, roof tiles inscribed with the name of Deoksansa were unearthed, finally confirming that Naewonsa was built on the site of Deoksansa.
Based on this evidence, Sancheong County and Naewonsa proceeded with the name restoration, and in mid-March, the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism approved changing the temple’s name from Naewonsa to Deoksansa. Subsequently, the county completed the traditional temple name change registration on March 26.
In fact, the original name of Naewonsa, ‘Deoksansa,’ is very familiar in the Sicheon and Samjang areas of Sancheong County. Since ancient times, local residents have called the land where they settled ‘Deoksan.’
Ilgwang, the head monk of Deoksansa (Naewonsa), said, “I cannot express how happy I am that the effort to restore the name Deoksansa has borne fruit,” and added, “I am deeply grateful to the Sancheong County officials who worked hard to recover the original name.”
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