Haenam-gun, Full Bloom of Daeheungmae Filled with the Spirit of Choui Seonsa

Millennium-old Haenam Daeheungsa Temple: Baekmae Flowers Loved by Seon Master Cho-ui in Full Bloom

Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 18th that the ‘Daeheungmae (大興梅)’ plum blossoms of Daeheungsa Temple, a thousand-year-old temple at the land’s end, have bloomed brightly.

The Daeheungmae in front of Jeokmukdang at Daeheungsa Temple in Haenam-gun is a white plum tree estimated to be about 350 years old, which was especially loved by the monk Cho-ui, and is also called Cho-uimae.

Cho-ui, who resided at Daegwangmyeongjeon (Dongguk Seonwon), which he directly founded, moved the plum tree that was the only survivor of the Cheonbuljeon fire in 1811 to Jeokmukdang next to Daegwangmyeongjeon and carefully nurtured it.

The 'Daeheung Plum Blossom (Daeheungmae)' of the thousand-year-old temple Daeheungsa
[Photo by Cheon Gi-cheol (Photographer, Local Historian)]

Tea Saint Cho-ui Seonsa (1786?1866), the 13th head monk of Daeheungsa Temple, advocated the philosophy of Seon and tea as one (Seoncha Illyu, 禪茶一如) and led the revival of tea culture in the late Joseon period.

The presence of Daeheungmae, located in front of Jeokmukdang?a place for monks’ practice with few visitors?is a hidden scenic spot known only among Daeheungsa devotees. When the dignified old tree blooms with bright white plum blossoms, quiet footsteps of those honoring Cho-ui Seonsa often follow.

Photographer Cheon Gi-cheol introduced, “Daeheungmae is especially fragrant and its flowers shine with a dazzling pure white color, so many consider it one of the five famous plums of Honam. Although Daeheungsa has many famous trees such as yeonriji (intertwined trees), many visitors love Daeheungmae because of its connection with Cho-ui Seonsa.”

The peak bloom of Daeheungmae is expected to be this week. It can be seen in front of Jeokmukdang at Daeheungsa Temple within Duryunsan Provincial Park, Samsan-myeon, Haenam-gun.