Pine Wall Temple

Byeoksongsa is a branch temple of Haeinsa Temple, which belongs to the 12th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Although its exact foundation date is unknown, it is believed to have been established in the late Silla or early Goryeo period, judging from the three-story stone pagoda behind the temple, presumed to have been built at the time of its founding. It is said that in 1520, Great Master Byeoksong Jieom rebuilt it and named it Byeoksongsa. The connection between Korean Seon Buddhism and Byeoksongsa is particularly profound, as it was a place of ascetic practice and enlightenment for not only Byeokgye Jeongsim, Byeoksong Jieom, and Buyong Yeonggwan, who carried on the Korean Seon lineage before Seosan Daesa Cheongheo Hyujeong, but also eight great masters who illuminated the Joseon Seon lineage, including Hwanseong Jian and Seoryong Sangmin. It was destroyed by an accidental fire in the 30th year of King Sukjong's reign (1704) but was rebuilt by Great Master Hwanseong Jian. In 1850, it was repaired by Great Master Seoryongdang Sangmin, but it was destroyed again during the Korean War in 1950. In 1960, Ven. Woneung Guhan rebuilt the collapsed temple, and it has continued to the present day.