The Historical Significance of Boduksa Temple
- Original source
- blog.naver.com
In Samhwa-ri, Seokmun-myeon, Dangjin, traces of an ancient sea route are hard to imagine from the current landscape.
Boduksa Temple, situated on the sloping terrain of Seohosan, is a place where you can explore its history.
Currently, due to the construction of a levee, the sea cannot be accessed directly from around the temple. However, in the past, this area was directly connected to the sea, and it is said that people frequently traveled around Bodukpo.
The name Boduksa naturally connects to the nearby old port, Bodukpo.
Historically, Bodukpo was an important location for travel between the inland and the sea due to its geography, which allowed seawater to flow deep inland.
As the number of people traveling to and from the port increased, residential areas began to form nearby, and Boduksa has been a part of the local life for a long time.
Today, due to the levee, the sea no longer reaches the temple as it once did.
Nevertheless, the name Bodukpo and the history of Boduksa remind us of the close relationship this place once had with the sea.
The exact founding date of Boduksa is not confirmed, but records indicate that it was renovated in 1676 during the Joseon Dynasty, suggesting that a temple has existed here for a long time.
It is said that the temple was not always in its current location. Originally, it was situated further north, but when the risk of damage from wind and rain arose, Monk Hyhaeng moved it to its present site in 1676.
What stands out while exploring Boduksa is its unique terrain rather than the buildings themselves.
In the past, it was a coastal temple with buildings perched on rocky cliffs.
Although the current levee makes it difficult to visualize the coastal scenery of that time, the temple buildings are arranged along the sloping terrain, presenting a distinctly different appearance from typical flatland temples.
Inside the temple, the incline is quite steep.
At the lower levels, you will find Muwidang and Jeokmyeoldang, while the highest point houses the Daeungjeon.
To reach Daeungjeon, one must navigate a steep incline, but there is an elevator at Boduksa to facilitate this ascent.
Standing in front of Jeokmyeoldang offers a panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
While the levee and land are visible now, this area was once the sea before the levee was constructed.
The current view makes it hard to imagine the past, which adds to its impressiveness.
After using the elevator to reach the area where Daeungjeon is located, it becomes clear that Boduksa has gone through significant changes over its long history.
After experiencing a period of decline, renovations began around 1980, leading to the current state of the temple, including the restoration of Daeungjeon, the bell tower, Iljumun, and the guesthouse.
In 1987, the temple was rebuilt, and the following autumn, a bell tower was erected next to Daeungjeon.
During this time, a bronze bell was also created, renewing the appearance of the temple.
After touring Daeungjeon, I descended the steep stairs, which required caution but allowed for a closer look at the terrain of the temple.
The arrangement of buildings along the steep cliffs feels unique to Boduksa.
Boduksa is not just a space that preserves the history of an old temple.
It also engages in activities with the local community.
Regular events such as choir performances, volunteer activities, and lakeside concerts encourage community participation and foster communication.
Currently, it is difficult to see the old Bodukpo around Boduksa.
The levee has created a landscape that is entirely different from the past.
Nonetheless, by examining the temple's history, the name Bodukpo, and the terrain that once faced the sea, one can somewhat recall that this place was once a space where people traveled along the sea routes.
Boduksa Temple in Seokmun-myeon, Dangjin, is a place where one can explore not only the old temple but also the local history centered around the sea and the port.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/dangjin2030/224429363250
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