Around Jingwan Temple

Jingwan Temple

Jingwansa Temple is a direct temple under the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and has been renowned since ancient times as one of the 'Four Great Temples' in the Seoul metropolitan area, alongside Buramsa Temple to the east, Sammaksa Temple to the south, and Seunggasa Temple to the north. It was founded in 1011 by King Hyeonjong (8th king of Goryeo), who defended the nation's power against the Khitan invasion, in honor of the Great Monk Jingwan. It is known as an ancient temple that was reduced to ruins by bombing during the Korean War (6·25) and later restored. In 2009, during the dismantling process inside Chilseonggak Hall, approximately 20 artifacts related to the independence movement, including copies of the Dongnip Sinmun (Independence Newspaper) wrapped in a Taegeukgi (Korean flag) like a bojagi (traditional Korean wrapping cloth), were discovered between the Buddhist altar and pillars of Chilseonggak Hall. The discovered Taegeukgi appears to have been produced and used by an organization or group during the March 1st Movement in 1919, and is believed to have been drawn over a Japanese flag at the time, thus holding significant historical value in the history of the Taegeukgi and the independence movement.