Baegyangsa Temple白羊寺

Baekyangsa Temple is located within Naejangsan National Park and is said to have been founded during the reign of King Mu of Baekje (632 AD). With a massive rock as its backdrop, clear, cold stream water flows down on both sides, making the scenery exceptionally beautiful. It showcases varied and beautiful scenery throughout the year, including autumn foliage. Daeungjeon Hall, Geuknakbojeon Hall, and Sacheonwangmun Gate are designated as Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Heritage, while the stupa of Soyo Daesa is designated as a Treasure. Upon entering Baekyangsa Temple after passing through a forest path where sawtooth oaks and maple trees stand in neat rows, Ssanggyeru Pavilion is the first to catch the eye. In front, there's a pond created by damming a stream, and behind it, strangely shaped rock cliffs stand like a folding screen, making the reflection of Ssanggyeru Pavilion shimmering in the pond water look like a painting. Past Ssanggyeru Pavilion, Daeungjeon Hall, Geuknakbojeon Hall, and a stupa tower appear. Baekyangsa Temple was originally named Baegamsa at the time of its founding, then changed to Jeongtosa during the Goryeo Dynasty. It is said that during the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon, a white lamb listened to the dharma whenever Master Hwanyangsosa read Buddhist scriptures, leading to the temple being called Baekyangsa (Baek-yang meaning "white lamb"). It was famous as a meditation training ground and produced many eminent monks who led the Buddhist community. Notable eminent monks include Hwanung, who served as the 2nd Patriarch during the Japanese colonial period; Manam, the 1st Patriarch of the Jogye Order; and Mukdam, the 1st Patriarch of the Taego Order. In recent times, including Patriarch Seoungdang, there have been as many as five eminent Patriarchs from this temple. Furthermore, ascending towards the hiking trail reveals many hermitages, such as Yaksasa Hermitage, Unmunam Hermitage, and Cheonjinam Hermitage, all boasting excellent scenery. Yaksasa Hermitage, a 20-minute walk from the temple entrance, serves as an observatory, offering a panoramic view of Baekyangsa Temple nestled amidst layer upon layer of mountains. Opposite this spectacular view, a cluster of 5,000 Torreya nucifera trees, subtropical evergreen trees, forms a natural monument. The dense growth of centuries-old, magnificent sawtooth oak trees along the 0.5 km path from the parking lot to the temple, along with over 3,000 gorosoenamu trees and the Torreya forest, are ideal for forest bathing.