Buddhist Relics

Kodonsaji
This site is located near a small stream away from the entrance of Jongsan-ri. There is a giant Zelkova tree which has been there for a thousand years.

The remaining structures in the site are the three-story pagoda in front of the Gold Shrine, the giant granite Buddha statues onthe Gold Shrine, the stone monument of stupa for the Monk Wongong and other broken materials.

Naksansa Temple
Naksansa is located in the northern shores of Yangyang-gun against the backdrop of Obong Mountain. The name Naksan was derived from Patanaka Mountain in India, where the goddess of Mercy, Avalokitesvara, was said to have lived.

Legend has it that when the founder of the temple, Abbot Uisang, was studying in China, he heard that Avalokitesvara was staying at a cave on the eastern coast of Korea. He went there in hopes of meeting Avalokitevara. He prayed for 27 days, but Avalokitesvara would not appear.

He tried to kill himself by jumping into the sea when all of a sudden Avalokitevara appeared and gave him a string of Buddhist beads made of crystal and Cintamani, a magical pearl bestowing omnipotence on its owner, and said to him, "Climb to the top of the cave and you will find a pair of bamboo plants growing. Build a temple there." That became Wontongbojon, the main hall. Upon the temple's completion, Abbot Uisang placed the beads and the magical pearl there.

Paekdamsa Temple
Paekdamsa is located in the Paekdam valley where clean water from the Kayadong valley and Kugok valley meet. Because of the 100 puddles between Taech'ongbong and the temple, it was called Paekdamsa.

Chongp'yongsa Temple
Ch'ongpyongsa temple is a historic temple built during the Koryo Dynasty. Many parts of the temple have been damaged due to its antiquity. The turnstile is the only part of the original building that is left. It has been designated as National Treasure no.164. The rest of the buildings were restored recently. One can see ancient foundation stones, a reinforcing stone wall, and four Pudos. There is a three story stone pagoda that is called Kongjutap(princess pagoda).

Sangwonsa Temple
Sangwonsa located deeply at Odaesan has the wonderful view. Because the road starting from Woljongsa is enclosed with dense forests, it is famous for autumn tints and winter scene as well as summer green. Sangwonsa is known for the temple where king Sejo of the Choson Dynasty prayed.

King Sejo who had dethroned his young nephew, King Tanjong and acceded to the throne was seized with a strange disease and had a boil on all over the body.

No matter how he had gotten medicine, he had not been cured. And he wanted to cure a disease with the Buddhist power. King Sejo who was on his way to Sangwonsa, came to enter the clean water of the valley. At that time King Sejo saw young monk playing and asked him to wash down his back. Then King Sejo asked him to don't tell anybody that he washed the body of the king. The young monk asked King Sejo to don't tell anybody that he saw Munsubosal and disappeared.

After that, King Sejo got rid of his boil. King Sejo had the image of Munsudongja carved and it is Munsudongjasang which is still kept at Sangwonsa. The exact name is Sangwonsa Munsumokchodongjajwasang and it is National Treasure No. 221. In addition to Munsudongjasang, Sangwonsa is famous for its Sangwonsa Dongjong. It is National Treasure No. 36 and is the bronze bell which was casted in the 24th year of King Songdok of the Shilla Kingdom (725). It is famous for clear sound of the bell and Chuakpich'onsang which was carved in relief.