A Serene Temple: Yongtapsa and Uiduam in Dangjin

• List
• More options
  • Edit
  • Delete

• Facebook
• Twitter

A tranquil temple that brings peace to the heart

Yongtapsa and Uiduam in Dangjin

As spring arrives after the awakening of nature, it’s the perfect season to seek tranquility under the warm sunshine.

Today, I will guide you to Yongtapsa and Uiduam, where you can encounter treasures that have been preserved for a thousand years amidst the deep mountains of Myeoncheon, Dangjin.

If you are traveling by highway, take the Daejeon-Dangjin Expressway and exit at the Myeoncheon tollgate. Turn left at the Myeoncheon intersection, head towards the bypass road, and then turn right at the next intersection. After a brief 5-minute drive along the village road, you will arrive at the Yongtapsa parking lot.

In South Korea, you can find temples in any region, and Dangjin is home to national cultural heritage sites like Yongtapsa and Yeongnangsa.

After a long time, I visited the millennium-old temple, Yongtapsa. Parking my car and stepping inside, I felt a sense of calm that transcends religious boundaries.

As you enter, there is a sign for the Maepo Cultural Forest Path, along with a direction marker for Uiduam. Following this path will lead you to the Naepo Cultural Forest Trail and past Uiduam.

However, it’s better to explore Yongtapsa first before heading to Uiduam.

Inside, you will find several designated protected trees, including zelkova trees aged between 100 to 400 years. Although they are bare in early spring, they will burst into vibrant green leaves later in the season.

At the entrance, there is a map of Yongtapsa, which is helpful to review before exploring.

Upon entering, you will see a newly installed sign on the left that introduces Yongtapsa, helping visitors recognize the temple.

Yongtapsa, with its serene atmosphere, is a wonderful place to visit at any time. I went early in the day, and while there were many visitors, the overall ambiance was quiet and peaceful, making it a delightful experience.

Yongtapsa was founded by the monk Doseon during the late Unified Silla period and is a branch temple of Sudoksa. During the Goryeo Dynasty, the monk Jinul established a stone pagoda in front of the main hall and named it Yongtapsa.

As you enter, on the left, you will find the Hall of Buddha, housing the designated treasure of the bronze seated Vairocana Buddha triad, created during the mid-Goryeo period.

The Hall of Buddha was recently constructed and houses the bronze triad, which is protected within a glass case. The unique style features the triad seated on a lotus pedestal, measuring 51 cm in height.

Visitors to Yongtapsa often make a point to see this.

Among the existing buildings at Yongtapsa are the Hall of Buddha, the Main Hall, the Glass Hall, the Mountain Spirit Shrine, the guesthouse, and others.

Upon entering the temple courtyard, the Main Hall is directly in front, with the guesthouse to the left and the Dharma Hall to the right.

The Main Hall was built in 1988 and features five bays in the front and three on the sides. Inside, the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha is flanked by the Bodhisattva of Earth and other figures.

The atmosphere inside the hall is solemn, and the sight of worshippers in prayer blends beautifully with the tranquil scenery of the temple, conveying a deep sense of peace.

There is also a small bell, presumed to date back to the Joseon Dynasty, designated as a cultural heritage of Chungcheongnam-do. The bell measures 60 cm in height and 46 cm in diameter.

On the right side of the temple courtyard, you will find the Glass Hall, which houses the Medicine Buddha statue, a cultural heritage of Chungcheongnam-do.

This statue, carved into the rock, stands at 3.5 m tall and embodies the local style of the Goryeo period.

According to legend, the monk Muhak, upon visiting the temple, noticed a mysterious rock emanating light and carved the Medicine Buddha statue there to pray for the nation's and the people's well-being.

After visiting Yongtapsa, walking along the path next to the seven-story stone pagoda leads you through the forest to Uiduam.

At Uiduam, you can find the inscription made by Kim Yoon-sik, who was exiled to Myeoncheon for plotting against the government.

Spending time at the serene Yongtapsa while encountering our cultural heritage is truly rewarding.

After exploring Yongtapsa, walking through the forest along the path by the seven-story pagoda and then visiting Uiduam is a lovely experience.

On this beautiful weekend, why not take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and find solace in the warm embrace of spring at Yongtapsa, where nature and history coexist?

Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224220655365

Like0 Dislike0