Gagyeonsa Temple覺淵寺

During the reign of King Beopheung of Silla, Master Yuil selected a site near present-day Ssanggok-ri, Chilseong-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, intending to build a temple. While timber processing was underway, a flock of crows flew in, ceaselessly picking up wood shavings and sawdust and disappearing somewhere. Master Yuil found this sight peculiar and followed the crows. At the pond on the site of present-day Gagyeonsa Temple, wood shavings had fallen, and upon peering into the pond, he saw a stone Buddha, from whose body a brilliant light emanated. After seeing the Buddha, Master Yuil gained a profound enlightenment, filled in the pond, and built a temple on that spot. Because he gained enlightenment after seeing the stone Buddha in the pond, he named the temple Gagyeonsa, using the characters Gak (覺), meaning "to awaken/enlighten," and Yeon (淵), meaning "pond." The temple is surrounded by towering mountains, as if by blooming lotus flowers. Gagyeonsa Temple possesses many cultural heritage assets, including the Seated Vairocana Buddha, the Stele for Master Tongil, Birojeon Hall, Daeungjeon Hall, and the Stupa for Master Tongil.