Bongguk Temple奉國寺

Bongguksa is a subordinate temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located on the southwestern foothills of Yeongjangsan Mountain. It was founded by Seonsa Beophyeon in the 19th year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo (1028). Later, in the 4th year of King Taejo of Joseon (1395), Damhwa renovated it by royal command. In the 15th year of King Hyeonjong of Joseon (1673), to pray for the peaceful repose of Princesses Myeonghye and Myeongseon, daughters of King Hyeonjong (reigned 1659-1674), the temple, which was located near the princesses' royal tombs, was reconstructed. The monk in charge of the project at that time was Ilchuk Jonja from Geumgangsan Mountain, and after the reconstruction, it was named 'Bongguksa'. This fact of its reconstruction is well-documented in Baekgok Cheoneung's (1617-1680) 『Daegak Deunggyejip』. In 1924, Duchang renovated it, and in 1932, the head monk Chunseong established an affiliated hermitage of the temple in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. Later, in 1958, Beopun renovated it, and in 1967, Hyesong newly constructed the Samseonggak (Three Sages Hall). In April 1969, a monks' residential building was newly constructed. Since 2017, the head monk Hyeil has been promoting projects such as the Hyuhyudang, Mitajeon, Anyangnu, and the Jonggakbulsa (bell pavilion construction project), hoping that Bongguksa, a thousand-year-old temple, will continue to uphold the compassionate Dharma of the Buddha.