Jikjisa直指寺

Jikjisa Temple, located at the foot of Mt. Hwangaksan, is the head temple of the 8th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was founded in the 2nd year of King Nulji of Silla (418) by Monk Ado, along with Dorisa Temple. Afterwards, Jajang renovated it in the 14th year of Queen Seondeok (645), Cheonmuk renovated it in the 4th year of King Gyeongsun (930), and Neungyeo rebuilt it with the help of the king in the 19th year of King Taejo of Goryeo (936). It was completely burned down during the Imjin War but was restored over 60 years starting from the 2nd year of King Gwanghaegun (1610). Regarding the name Jikjisa, one theory is that it refers to Mt. Hwangaksan, meaning "there is also a good temple site there," thus earning the name Jikji; another theory is that in the early Goryeo period, Monk Neungyeo measured the temple site directly with his own hands without using a ruler, from which the name was derived. During the Joseon Dynasty, Hakjo served as the abbot, and Master Yujeong began his monastic life at this temple. The existing buildings include the Daeungjeon (main hall), Birojeon where 1,000 baby Buddhas are enshrined side by side, Geungnakjeon, Eungjinjeon, Gwaneumjeon, Namwollyo, Myeongbujeon, Yaksajeon, Seolbeopjeon, Mandeokjeon, Josajeon, Jehadang, Myeongwollyo, Cheongpungnyo, Samyeonggak, Beomjonggak, and others. There are also Iljumun (one-pillar gate) with 1,000-year-old kudzu roots and bush clover pillars, Geumgangmun (diamond gate), and Sacheonwangmun (gate of the four heavenly kings). In 2002, by inviting foreign ambassadors residing in Korea, the temple officially held a Temple Stay for the first time nationwide, operating it by dividing it into meditation experience type and relaxation type.