Doseon Temple道詵寺

From the west of Uii-dong, if you go up about 1km along the valley towards Baegunbong, the highest peak of Bukhansan Mountain, you will come across a mountain gate (Sanmun) whose stone pillars are inscribed with ‘Three days of cultivating the mind is a treasure for a thousand years (三日修心千載寶), a hundred years of coveting material things turns to dust in a single morning (百年貪物一朝塵).’ According to historical records, Dosunsa Temple is said to have been founded in 862 (the 2nd year of King Gyeongmun's reign) by National Preceptor Doseon. National Preceptor Doseon foresaw that the mountain terrain here would be a place to revive Buddhism during the Mappō period (period of Dharma decline) 1,000 years later, and after founding the temple, he is said to have split a large rock with his staff to create the rock-carved Gwaneum Bodhisattva statue. Although no records of reconstruction or major repairs up until the late Joseon Dynasty remain, there are records that warrior monks from this temple also performed guard duties when Bukhansanseong Fortress was built. In 1863 (the 14th year of King Cheoljong's reign), it was repaired with donations from Kim Jwa-geun, and Chilseonggak was newly built. In 1887 (the 24th year of King Gojong's reign), Im Jun erected a five-story pagoda, and enshrined the true sarira of Sakyamuni Buddha in the pagoda. Existing temple buildings include, centered around the Daeungjeon (Main Hall), Hoguk Chamhoewon, Myeongbujeon, Samseonggak, Jeokmukdang, Cheonwangmun, Beomjonggak, Jongmuso (temple office), and Yosachae (monks' living quarters). Inside the Daeungjeon, the Amitabha Triad is enshrined, and on the inner walls of the main hall are portraits of Bodhidharma, Huineng, and Cheongdam. Also present are main Buddha altarpieces, paintings of the Eight Scenes from the Life of the Buddha (Palsangdo), and paintings of the Nine Grades of Rebirth in the Western Paradise (Geungnak Gupumdo). Currently, at Dosunsa Temple, there are numerous Seoul Metropolitan City Tangible Cultural Heritage items, including the Standing Rock-carved Buddha (No. 34), Wooden Amitabha Buddha and Mahāsthāmaprāpta Bodhisattva (No. 191), Stone Solitary Saint Statue (No. 192), and Bronze Bell and a set of relics (No. 259), along with many Buddhist cultural properties such as the Ksitigarbha and Ten Kings of Hell painting (Jijang Siwangdo), hanging Buddha scroll (Gwaebuldo), Lotus Sutra (Myobeop Yeonhwagyeong), and commentary on the Avatamsaka Sutra (Daebanggwangbul Hwaeomgyeongso), which were created in the late 19th century.