Sudosa Temple (Pyeongtaek)

Sudosa Temple was founded by Ven. Yeomgeo in 852 (the 14th year of King Munseong of Silla). However, since this is the place where Ven. Wonhyo drank water from a skull and attained enlightenment in 661 (the 1st year of King Munmu), it is presumed that a small hermitage existed even before Ven. Yeomgeo founded it. According to Samguk Yusa, while Ven. Wonhyo was on his way to study in Tang China, he stayed one night in a rock cave near Sudosa Temple. Thirsty at night, Ven. Wonhyo groped around and found what seemed to be water in a gourd, which he drank refreshingly. However, upon waking up the next day, he saw that the gourd from which he had drunk water was a skull and vomited. At this, Ven. Wonhyo realized that everything originates from the mind and abandoned his plan to study in Tang China, leaving behind an enlightenment verse: "When the mind arises, various phenomena arise; when the mind ceases, various phenomena cease." After its founding, Sudosa Temple prospered greatly, but due to rampant bandits, severe plundering occurred, and monks were even kidnapped, causing the temple to become deserted. At times, it even fell into ruin due to landslides. Thereafter, as historical records up to the mid-Joseon period are not available, its detailed history remains unknown. Sudosa Temple's Daeungjeon (main hall) was burned down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) and later rebuilt, but it became a ruined temple again in 1911. It is said that in the 1960s, Ven. Choi Yeong-seok moved the temple site approximately 100m south from the old temple site and rebuilt the current temple. Currently, Sudosa Temple, centered around the Daeungjeon (main hall), has the Myeongbujeon (Hall of Judgment), Sansingak (Mountain Spirit Shrine), a Temple Stay exclusive hall (Yaksa-jeon), a Traditional Temple Food Learning and Experience Center, a thatched-roof house, and a two-story monks' living quarters.