Gyeryongsan
- For the 1966 Korean movie, see Gyeryongsan (film).
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Gyeryongsan, or Rooster-Dragon Mountain, a 848 meter (2,782 ft) mountain in Chungcheongnam-do, in the western part of South Korea, is one of Korea's three holiest mountains, and is believed to have the most most qi (spiritual energy) of all the mountains in Korea. Because of this, Gyeryongsan is a popular site for Shamanic ceremonies and rituals, and contains sixty Shamanic shrines. The mountain is also popular with hikers and Buddhists visiting the local temples.
Near Gyeryongsan
Gyeryongsan lies west of the city of Daejeon and south of the city of Gongju, the ancient capital of Baekje, one of Korea's ancient three kingdoms. Also located near the mountain is the city of Gyeryong. Portions of the mountain are included in a South Korean military reserve. Other portions are part of Gyeryongsan National Park. Noted temples located on the mountain include Donghaksa(Eastern Learning Temple), Gapsa(Armour Temple), Sinwonsa(Spirit Garden Temple) and Shinheung-am (Spirit-rising Hermitage).
Donghaksa Temple was originally named 'Sangwonsa' when it was founded by priest Sangwonjosa. It has been a place for Buddhist nuns since the time of Silla, the 23rd year of King Seongdeok(724). In the period of Goryeo a patriot Doseon, remodeled it and King Taejo came here to pray for the safety of his people. The college was later remodeled extensively by King Sunjo and Gojong (1864).
The college of the Buddhist priesthood for Buddhist nuns is situated in the east of Donghaksa(Temple). Since it is 1km from the entrance of Yuseong of Daejeon to Donghaksa many people come and go.
The name of Donghaksa originated from the rock like a crane near the temple. Another theory is that this was the place to perform rituals to commemorate Jeong mongju, the famous scholar of the end of Goryeo. Inside the temple area there are Daeung-jeon, Sukmojeon, Sameungak, Budo, and a graceful three-storied stone pagoda. Munsuam, Gilsangam, and Mitaam are three temples that are attached to Donghaksa.
There are three shrines which are rare to see in other places before going up to the Daeungjeon. The Sameun shrine enshrines the spirits of three men (Jeong mongju - pen name Poeun, Lee saek - pen name Mogeun, and Giljae - pen name Yaeun). Donggyesa enshrines the patriot Park Jesang of Silla. And Sukmojeon enshrines the spirits of Danjong and Sayuksin, who suffered undue treatment and died while Sejo contended for the throne. Sambulbong can be seen from Daeungjeon and is surrounded by mountains, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Donghaksa valley, 4 km long, is very beautiful. We can appreciate it walking along the streams from Donghaksa to Gwaneumbong by way of Euseon falls. A small waterfall and a swarm welcome people and the forest is so dense that sunlight cannot penetrate through the treetops. There is an old saying, "Donghaksa for Spring, Gapsa for autumn," illustrating the beauty of the temple.
Nammaetap
On the way from Donghaksa to Gapsa, two pagodas stand abreast; Treasure No. 1284 and 1285, also called Onuitap (brother and sister). They sit one hour from Donghaksa on foot, roughly 1.7km.
The site is also called Cheongnyangsaji-ssangtap since there was Cheongnyangsa ( Temple ).
According to legend, one man from the royal family dug into a cave and cultivated himself in the 23rd year of Queen Seondeok during the period of Silla. One day he saved a tiger suffering from a bone in its throat. The tiger brought a lady to express its gratitude. The man discovered that the woman was recently married in Sangju, Gyeongsang-do. On the first night of her wedding, she was out to get some fresh air. She did not remember what happened next. Since the season was a very cold winter they had no choice but to stay together in the cave. Later she asked him to marry her but the man concretely rejected it. Instead, he promised to remain brother and sister.
They cultivated themselves together and died at the same time on the same day. This is where their sarisas were preserved - underneath the seven-story pagoda for the brother, and the five-story pagoda for the sister.
Gapsa [Temple]
Passing through Nammaetap to Yongmun falls you are led to Gapsa, one of the representative temples of Gyeryongsan. It takes 3 hours from Donghaksa( Temple ) and many people love this place to hike.
Often the beauty of Chungcheong district is called 'Chunmagok, Chugapsa' meaning Magoksa is beautiful in spring, and Gapsa is beautiful in autumn.
Gapsa, located on the northwestern edge of Gyeryongsan with dense old pinewoods and zelkova trees boasts beautiful autumn maples.
Its valleys are tinged with Sansuyu with yellow flowers and royal azalea in spring. The beautiful Yongmun falls runs through the dense forest in the summer. However, Gapsa boasts the best of its splendor in the autumn. Numerous varieties of graceful maples together with reddish persimmons, old walls and pictures, many colors, and Gapsa-originated designs create a rare picture.
Gapsa was built more than a thousand years ago. According to the legend, the old Buddhist priest Adohwasang put a foundation stone on Baeseokdae and recommended to build a temple here on his way back home from Silla. This happened in the 1st year of King Guisin in the Baekje period (420).
Later the great Buddhist priest Uisangdaesa remodeled Gapsa, for seeking truth of Hwaeom. It was considered a most graceful temple and one of the three great ones - Tongdosa, Songgwangsa, and Hwaeomsa. During the Japanese invasion(A.D 16) more than 800 monk soldiers stayed in this temple, however it was destroyed by fire during the war. The present temple was rebuilt later on.
There are about ten buildings including Daeungjeon(main praying hall) and Daejeokjeon, and precious cultural assets like Budo, Cheoldanggan, Jiju, and Wolinseokbo-panbon (21 books, 46 pages) Gapsa Valley that reaches from Gapsa to the Geumjandi valley boasts of the most graceful maples in Gyeryongsan. This region is considered one of the eight most beautiful landscapes of Gyeryongsan National Park .
Gapsabudo
Gapsabudo (Treasure No. 257) stands in front of the antique-looking Daejeokjeon where the Gapsa valley runs along the front. Gapsabudo, the work of the beginning of Goryeo, is an octagon-shaped, 2.05m high distinguished by the stylobate which is shaped like a blooming lotus flower. Lions, Sacheonwang Ipsang, and Juakcheoninsang are carved into the structure, and its jade lid is shaped like a tiled roof. This very precious remnant is not to be missed.
Cheoldanggan
Danggan (a banner pole made of stone, steel or wood which is used for fluttering during the performance of rituals) was made by the great Buddhist Euisangdaesa in the 19th year of King Munmu in the Tongilsilla period (680). Originally there were 28 banners but four of them were destroyed in the 35th year of King Gojong (1899), and now 24 of them remains. It was designated as Treasure No. 256. It stands 15m tall and is made of iron.
Sinwonsa [Temple]
Sinwonsa, an old temple rebuilt by the Buddhist priest Bodeokhwasang in the 11th year of King Uija (651) is located at the southern outskirt of Gyeryongsan, Yeoncheonbong - roughly 50ri (20km) from the south of Gongju. It has been remodeled several times and is famous for its lotus flower patterned tile. Inside Sinwonsa there are Daeungjeon, Dokseonggak, Yeongsanjeon, and many other small temples as well as Jungakdan (an altar to perform religious services). There are also other cultural assets including a five-story pagoda (Local Tangible Cultural Asset No. 31) and octagonal Budo.
Eunsun Falls
Climbing up along the valley from Donghaksa, one is led to Eunseonpokpo (Falls). It stands 50m tall and falls directly down from the cliff. It is considered the coolest place in the forest during summer to make forget hot weather.
Donghaksa Valley
A 2km-long stream runs into the entrance of Donghaksa ( Temple ). The hundred-year-old trees and fantastic rocks are seen as a graceful oriental painting that attracts visitors.
end import.—Daniel 19:08, 6 August 2007 (UTC)
See also
- List of Korea-related topics
- List of mountains in South Korea
- Geography of South Korea
- Environment of South Korea
- Korean shamanism
Notes
External links
- Official website (in Korean). Retrieved November 9, 2007.
- San-shin profile. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
- Travel in Korea profile. Retrieved November 9, 2007.
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