Beopheungsa Temple: A Sacred Journey to Sajasan Mountain
Beopheungsa Temple on Sajasan Mountain is a temple that houses a Jeokmyeolbogung, a hall enshrining the relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. Founded during the Unified Silla period, it is considered one of the five major Jeokmyeolbogung temples in Korea, along with Bongjeongam Hermitage, Tongdosa Temple, Sangwonsa Temple, and Jeongamsa Temple.
Escaping the midday heat, I visited Beopheungsa Temple on Sajasan Mountain early in the morning. Passing through the two-story pavilion, Woneumru, which houses the wooden fish and Dharma drum, I entered the temple grounds and was immediately drawn to the tall, straight pine trees. The temple lives up to its reputation as a place of beautiful pines, offering a stunning view.
To reach the Jeokmyeolbogung of Beopheungsa Temple, you need to walk uphill for about 10 minutes along the dense fir tree forest path to the right of the entrance. After climbing about 300 meters, you'll find a building and a small spring. From there, take the stone steps to the right, and you'll soon arrive at the Jeokmyeolbogung.
Early in the morning, the Jeokmyeolbogung of Beopheungsa Temple is immersed in silence, without a single soul in sight. Towering pine trees surround the sacred ground, leaving no room for worldly concerns. It's as if they are guardians protecting the hall in the stillness.
Inside the Dharma hall of the Jeokmyeolbogung at Beopheungsa Temple, there is no Buddha statue, only a neat and tidy altar. Behind the altar, there is a small window through which you can see the stupa located behind the hall.
The stupa, located on the hill behind the Jeokmyeolbogung, is of unknown origin, and it is said that the Buddha's relics are hidden somewhere on Sajasan Mountain.
The surface of the stupa is intricately carved with lotus flowers and guardian deities, catching the eye. Next to it is a stone mound that resembles a small burial mound. Legend has it that the monk Jajang Yulsa practiced asceticism here during the Silla period.
After descending from the Jeokmyeolbogung, I explored the historic temple's buildings. Geungnakjeon, the main Dharma hall of Beopheungsa Temple, stands elegantly against the backdrop of a lush pine forest, with a small stone lantern bearing the marks of time standing in front.
As a temple with a long history, Beopheungsa Temple on Sajasan Mountain is home to many valuable cultural properties. The stupa and stone mound in the Jeokmyeolbogung, as well as the Stele of Buddhist Monk Jinghyo's Stupa and the stupa enshrining the relics of Buddhist Monk Jinghyo, which are currently designated as treasures, are precious heritages that offer a glimpse into the Buddhist culture and sculptural style of the Goryeo Dynasty.
Beopheungsa Temple, located at the foot of Sajasan Mountain, is also the starting point for climbing Gubongsan Mountain. If you enter the forest path along the valley in the west direction from the parking lot, you can enjoy hiking Gubongsan Mountain, which consists of nine peaks. It is said that each of the nine peaks contains a meaning of life, so every time you cross a peak, you will naturally fall into contemplation.
Not long after leaving the quiet mountain temple surrounded by pine forests, I accidentally discovered a small lotus pond with lotus flowers in full bloom nearby. On this summer day, my time at Beopheungsa Temple on Sajasan Mountain was filled with memories of the fragrant pine forest and the Jeokmyeolbogung, the 'precious hall free from worldly concerns,' as well as the lotus flower scenery I encountered along the way, making it an even richer experience.
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