Taeansa Temple

Taeansa Temple, located at the foot of Dongnisa Mountain, was reestablished in 742 CE, the first year of King Gyeongdeok of Silla, by three divine monks. Subsequently, in 847, it was reestablished as a Seon (Zen) temple by National Preceptor Hyecheol, forming the Dongnisa School, one of the Nine Mountain Seon Schools. Later, during the reign of King Taejo of Goryeo, Grand Master Hyecheol resided there, constructing 132 bays of buildings and establishing a large-scale temple, making it the central monastic complex of the Dongnisa School. In the early Goryeo period, both Songgwangsa Temple and Hwaeomsa Temple were branch temples of Taeansa. In 1925, Choe Nam-seon visited and praised it, stating, "It is a renowned temple since Silla, and the first Seon (Zen) temple established in Haedong (Korea). It is perhaps like a sacred realm from ancient times." During the Korean War (6.25), 15 buildings, including the Daeungjeon (Main Buddha Hall), were burned down. Since then, it has been repaired and stands to this day. Within the temple grounds, there are five treasures, including the stupa for National Preceptor Hyecheol and the stupa for Seon Master Gwangja. Neungpagak Pavilion, built in an exquisite location in the Dongnisa Valley, is also worth seeing. Furthermore, Taeansa's valley is known as a beautiful walking trail, with fresh greenery in spring, cool streams and lush foliage in summer, and deeply colored autumn leaves in fall.