Baegyangsa Temple

Baekyangsa Temple is located within Naejangsan National Park and is said to have been founded in 632 AD during the reign of King Mu of Baekje. With a massive rock as its backdrop, clear and cold stream water flows down on both sides, creating an exceptionally beautiful landscape. It showcases a beautiful and ever-changing landscape throughout the year, including the autumn foliage. Daeungjeon, Geungnakbojeon, and Sachawangmun are designated as tangible cultural heritage of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, and the Stupa of Soyo Daesa is designated as a national treasure. Upon entering Baekyangsa Temple after passing through a forest path where sawtooth oaks and maple trees stand in rows, Ssanggyeru Pavilion is the first thing that catches the eye. In front, there is a pond created by damming a valley, and behind it, strangely shaped rock cliffs stand like a screen, making the reflection of Ssanggyeru Pavilion in the pond water look like a painting. Beyond Ssanggyeru Pavilion are Daeungjeon, Geungnakbojeon, and various stupas. Baekyangsa Temple was originally called Byeogam Temple at the time of its founding, and its name was changed to Jeongtosa Temple during the Goryeo Dynasty. It is said that during the reign of King Seonjo of Joseon, whenever monk Hwanhwangjosa read Buddhist scriptures, a white sheep would listen to his sermons, which is why the temple came to be called Baekyangsa (White Sheep Temple). It was famous as a center for Seon (Zen) practice and produced many eminent monks who led the Buddhist community. During the Japanese colonial period, Hwanheung served as the 2nd Kyojeong (Supreme Patriarch), Manam was the 1st Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order, and Mukdam was the 1st Supreme Patriarch of the Taego Order. In recent times, including Supreme Patriarch Seoungdang, there have been as many as five eminent monks from this temple. Furthermore, ascending towards the hiking trail leads to many hermitages, and Yaksaam, Unmunam, and Cheonjinam, among others, boast outstanding scenery. Yaksaam Hermitage, a 20-minute walk from the temple entrance, serves as a lookout point, offering a panoramic view of Baekyangsa Temple nestled amidst layer upon layer of mountains. Opposite this scenic spot, a cluster of 5,000 Torreya nucifera trees, evergreen trees of a warm temperate climate, forms a natural monument. Along the 0.5 km path from the parking lot up to the temple, hundreds-of-years-old sawtooth oak giants, over 3,000 gorosoe maple trees, and the Torreya forest are excellent for forest bathing.