Ssanggyesa Temple雙磎寺

Ssanggyesa Temple was built in the 21st year of King Seongdeok of Silla (722 CE) by Monk Sambeop, who, upon returning from his studies abroad, enshrined the sarira (relics) of Huineng, the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Seon Buddhism. In the 2nd year of King Munseong (840 CE), Seon Master Jingam Hyeso renamed it Okcheonsa Temple, but in the 2nd year of King Jeonggang, it was changed back to Ssanggyesa. Ssanggyesa, which was burned down during the Japanese invasions (Imjin War), was rebuilt by Great Master Byeogam in the 10th year of King Injo (1632 CE). Among the sights, Ssanggyesa's cherry blossoms are particularly famous. Other renowned spots include Ssanggyeseokmun, an inscription personally written by Goun Choe Chiwon; the Stele for Great Master Jingam; a natural zelkova tree in the courtyard of Guksasa Hermitage to the north; and famous places like Buril Waterfall, nestled between the Cheonghakbong and Baekhakbong valleys to the northeast. Meanwhile, Ssanggyesa has a deep connection with tea. It is said that in the 3rd year of King Heungdeok of Silla (828 CE), Kim Dae-ryeom, as an envoy to Tang China, first brought back tea plant seeds and, by royal command, planted them in the Ssanggyesa area on the southern side of Jirisan Mountain. A monument commemorating the first planting of tea stands just before the Iljumun (One Pillar Gate), and there is also a monument marking the original tea cultivation site in the village's tea fields.