Jingwan Temple

Jin'gwan-sa, representing the west, has long been counted among the four great renowned temples in the vicinity of Seoul since ancient times, alongside Buram-sa (east), Sammak-sa (south), and Seungga-sa (north). The history of Jin'gwan-sa states that it was founded in the first year of King Hyeonjong's reign, the 8th king of Goryeo, in 1010 AD, by King Hyeonjong for Jin'gwan-daesa (Great Master Jin'gwan). By order of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye, who founded Joseon, a Suryuksa (temple for water-land rituals) was established to console the ancestral spirits, the loyal martyrs, and the souls of the sacrificed Goryeo royal family, and the grand Suryukdaejae (Water-Land Grand Ritual) was magnificently held in spring and autumn. During the reign of King Sejong, a Dokseodang (reading hall) for the scholars of the Jiphyeonjeon (Hall of Worthies) was built at Jin'gwan-sa, where scholars such as Seong Sam-mun, Shin Suk-ju, and Bak Paeng-nyeon were said to have studied. During the Korean War, the temple was reduced to ashes as part of the anti-communist guerrilla suppression efforts. In 1963, Bhikkhuni Jin'gwan was appointed as the head nun, and over 30 years, she led the restoration project, renovating and rebuilding the temple into its current form. Its buildings include the Daeungjeon (Main Buddha Hall), Myeongbujeon (Hall of Judgment), Nahanjeon (Arhat Hall), Chilseonggak (Seven Star Shrine), Dokseonggak (Solitary Saint Shrine), Nagawon, Hongjeru, Dongjeonggak, Dongbyeoldang, and Yosache (monks' quarters). In the Daeungjeon, the principal Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, is enshrined, along with the attendant bodhisattvas, Maitreya Bodhisattva and Jehwagalhwa Bodhisattva. The Myeongbujeon enshrines Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, Domyeong Jonja, Mudok Gwiwang, and the Ten Great Kings. The Nahanjeon houses Sakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Bodhisattva, Jehwagalla Bodhisattva, and sixteen Arhat statues. Jin'gwan-sa, which boasts beautiful natural surroundings and cultural history as part of Bukhansan National Park, continues to convey the Buddha's compassion to the world today, serving as a refreshing balm for Seoul citizens living in modern times, providing peace of mind and cleansing away the grime of daily life.