Ongnyongsa Temple Site, Gwangyang

Basic information

Designation

Historic Site No.407

Category

유적지

Era

8세기초

Designated year

1998

Location

광양시, 전라남도— 전남 광양시 옥룡면 추산리 302번지 외

Coordinates

35.047114, 127.605711

Ongnyongsa Temple was built on Baekgyesan Mountain (505m) in Gwangyang by State Preceptor Doseon in 864, the 4th year of the reign of King Gyeongmun of the Silla Dynasty. According to a legend of the temple, there was a lake on this site where 9 bad dragons lived, so Doseon drove them out of the lake. Note, however, that the white dragon defied Doseon, so he made the white dragon blind using his stick and boiled the water on the lake to expel the white dragon. After driving all dragons out of the lake, he built the temple on the ground leveled with charcoal. According to another legend, the camellia trees around the temple were planted to make up for the weak energy of the ground, and Doseon ordered his disciples to cultivate the tea plantation to train their mind and body. The temple was burnt to the ground during the late Joseon Dynasty. The pagodas where the bones of Doseon and his best disciple, Buddhist Monk Tongjin, were placed and the monuments for them were also destroyed. Through excavation and research on the site, the building sites have been confirmed, and 80 fragments from the monuments have been found. A coffin with bones in it -- believed to be Doseon's -- has been excavated as well. The site gives clues for research on the ancient burial customs for the highly respected Buddhist monks.

Location