Dongchuk Temple東竺寺

Dongchuksa is an ancient temple in the Ulsan region and a sacred site reflecting Silla's Pure Land Buddhist thought. It possesses a historical background centered on a spiritual encounter between Silla's King Jinheung and India's King Ashoka, preserving a founding legend that it was built to enshrine a replica of the Sakyamuni Triad statues sent by King Ashoka on a ship. Even from the name Dongchuk, one can infer that this place is no ordinary Pure Land (Buddha-land). Just as India, the homeland of the Pure Land, was called Seochuk (Western Land) because it was a western country, this place was named Dongchuk (Eastern Land) as a contrasting name, allowing us to glimpse an aspect of Silla's Pure Land thought from that era. This embodies the concept of "Bulyeon-gukto" (Buddhist-destined Land), which suggests that seven temple sites existed in Silla since the time of Sakyamuni's past Buddhas, and it connects to the revival of Silla's Buddhist culture during King Jinheung's era, which sought to emulate King Ashoka of India. The location where Dongchuksa stands was once a frequent destination for poets and scholars, known as Chukamhyojong (Bell of Chukam at dawn) and Seomamsangpung (Wind on Seomam) among the Eight Scenic Views of Ulsan Dongmyeon. In particular, Gwanil-dae (Sunrise Viewing Platform) at the summit of Dongchuksa, also called Seomam, is famous as a place where one can view the sunrise over the East Sea along with the sound of Dongchuksa's bell.