Baeknyeonsa (Seodaemun)

Baekryeonsa Temple, a thousand-year-old ancient temple located at the foot of Baekryeonsan Mountain in Seodaemun, was founded by Master Jinpyo in the 6th year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla (747). At that time, it was called Jeongtosa, but it was renamed Baekryeonsa in the first year of King Jeongjong of the Joseon Dynasty. Jeongjong, the 2nd king of Joseon, also stayed here for recuperation after abdicating the throne to Taejong. Princess Uisuk, daughter of King Sejo of Joseon, lost her husband at the age of 20 and, while wandering to soothe her grief, saw a haedongmuk (Eomnamu tree) here and is said to have realized the true meaning of life. After that, establishing it as Princess Uisuk's ancestral shrine, it is said that the name was changed to Baekryeonsa. According to one theory, it was called Seobangjeong or Jeongtosa because it was located to the west when viewed from Gyeongbokgung Palace, but then one summer day, white lotuses suddenly bloomed in a pond, and it is said that the name was changed to Baekryeonsa. It was destroyed during the Imjin War in the time of King Seonjo but was immediately rebuilt and has undergone numerous reconstructions and expansions since then. The temple features Geukrakjeon Hall, completed in 1965, Muryangsujeon Hall which houses Amitabha Buddha, and Wontongjeon Hall which houses Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, among others. There are also Yaksajeon Hall, Gwaneumjeon Hall, Myeongbujeon Hall, Samseonggak Shrine, Dokseonggak Shrine, Beomjonggak Pavilion, and Haetallu Pavilion, as well as statues of Great Monk Jeongpo and Pure Land Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva.