Jeseok Temple

Jeoksa Temple is a temple built at the birthplace of Great Master Wonhyo (617-688). Great Master Wonhyo was an eminent monk of Silla who advocated for integrated Buddhism (Wonhyo-jong, Bunham-jong, Haedong-jong), spread Buddhism among the common people, and is revered as an indispensable figure in Korea's ancient history, history of philosophy, and history of thought; the status and value of his original knowledge system are consistently being re-evaluated beyond Asia and throughout the world. Wonhyo's mother, Lady Jo, had a conception dream of a shooting star embracing her. When she was heavily pregnant with Wonhyo, she was passing beneath a chestnut tree in the northern part of Yulgok, where a fire had broken out, when she suddenly felt labor pains. She hung her husband's clothes on the chestnut tree to create a makeshift delivery room and gave birth. It is said that at this moment, five-colored clouds descended from the sky and covered the ground. Therefore, that chestnut tree came to be called Sarasu, and it is said that because the size and thickness of its chestnuts were different from ordinary ones, they were called Saraul. Later, Wonhyo built a temple next to the chestnut tree where he was born and named it 'Sarasa'. There is a legend that Jeoksa Temple originated when Sarasa, which was built near Great Master Wonhyo's birthplace after he entered monkhood during the Silla period, fell into disuse. Then, about 400 years ago, a farmer plowing a field discovered a Buddha statue and a stupa body, leading to the temple's restoration. The stone seated Buddha, broken stupa body, and stone lantern lotus pedestal remaining at Jeoksa Temple appear to be from the late Silla period, suggesting that Jeoksa Temple is the successor to Sarasa. Furthermore, at Jeoksa Temple, a tea ceremony is held annually on the 4th day of the 5th lunar month, Great Master Wonhyo's birthday, along with the Samseonghyeon Cultural Festival, which illuminates the lives and thoughts of the Three Sages (Wonhyo, Seolchong, and Ilyeon). On Dano, the 5th day of the 5th lunar month, the temple participates in the Gyeongsan Jain Danoje Festival, hosted by Gyeongsan City.