Purify and Heal the Mind at Millennium Temples Such as Jungheungsa, Seongbulsa, and Unamsa

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] Gwangyang City in Jeollanam-do has proposed a temple tour in Gwangyang to visit ancient temples with a thousand years of history and culture in celebration of the upcoming Buddha’s Birthday.

In Gwangyang, there are many serene mountain temples and temple sites such as Jungheungsa, Seongbulsa, Unamsa, and Okryongsaji, where visitors can enjoy beautiful scenery while purifying and healing their minds.

In particular, the temples in Gwangyang have a deep connection with Seon Gak Guksa Doseon, a master of feng shui, who resided at Okryongsa for 35 years until his passing.

Jungheungsa, a branch temple of Hwaeomsa, was founded by Doseon at Unamsa and is located within the Jungheungsanseong Fortress, which has a circumference of 4 km, later becoming known as Jungheungsa.

Jungheungsa is a proud temple that houses cultural heritage treasures such as the Twin Lion Stone Lantern (Treasure No. 103), the Three-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 112), and the Stone Jizo Bodhisattva Ban'ga Statue (Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 142).

However, the Twin Lion Stone Lantern was moved to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1918 during the Japanese colonial period’s attempt to take it, and after being relocated several times to places such as Gyeongmudae, Deoksugung Palace, and the National Museum of Korea, it is currently exhibited at the National Gwangju Museum.

The Twin Lion Stone Lantern depicts two lions, male and female, pressing their chests together, holding the heavy stone lantern housing with their front paws and mouths, a masterpiece boasting dynamic modeling and a sense of balance.

Even without the international movement transitioning from an era of cultural property plundering to one of restitution, the Twin Lion Stone Lantern, which has endured many hardships since the Japanese colonial plundering attempt, shines brightest when it is in its original place.

Although the Twin Lion Stone Lantern is not currently at its original site, imagining the stone lantern standing there and earnestly hoping for its return makes for a meaningful pilgrimage.

Seongbulsa, located below Dosolbong Peak of Baegunsan Mountain, is also a temple founded by Doseon Guksa in the late Silla period. It was destroyed during the Imjin War and only the site remained, but it was restored in the early 1960s as a simple thatched house and has continued its Buddhist activities to this day.

There are main halls such as Daeungjeon, Gwaneumjeon, Geungnakjeon, a five-story stone pagoda, and a bell pavilion. The beautiful mountain terrain and the deep, clear Seongbul Valley stretching 2 km purify the mind even before reaching Seongbulsa.

The peaceful Okryongsaji, which remains only as a few foundation stones, is also worth visiting on Buddha’s Birthday.

Okryongsa is where Seon Gak Guksa Doseon renovated the temple, trained disciples for 35 years, and passed away. Now only the site remains, showing the aesthetics of emptiness and fullness alongside dense camellia trees.

Unamsa, located at the end of the camellia forest trail of Okryongsa, is said to have been rebuilt in 1993 by Monk Jonggyeon after being lost without any records of its founding.

In the temple courtyard stands a 40-meter-tall bronze Medicine Buddha statue, standing solemnly against the blue sky and emanating a unique aura.

Kim Seongsu, head of the Tourism Division, said, “The path to the temple deep in the mountains is a philosophical journey into the unseen inner self, and it is a space that transcends religious dimensions, preserving history and culture.”

He added, “The colorful lantern parade held on Buddha’s Birthday is also a must-see spectacle. We hope visitors will heal their weary inner selves by visiting Gwangyang’s temples, each with its own story, amidst the beautiful scenery.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr