Bulgapsa Temple佛甲寺

A temple situated at the foot of Bulgapsan Mountain in Yeonggwang-gun, famous for its spider lilies. It is a branch temple of Baekyangsa Temple, the head temple of the 18th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It was named Bulgapsa to reflect that it was the very first Buddhist sanctuary built when Marananta introduced Buddhism to Baekje during the reign of King Chimnyu of Baekje (384 AD). Inside the Cheonwangmun (Gate of Four Heavenly Kings) are enshrined statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, said to have been carved by Monk Yeongi during the reign of King Jinheung of Silla and later moved from the abandoned Mujang Yeon-gisa Temple in Jeonbuk when Seoldu Seonsa renovated Bulgapsa in the first year of King Gojong. Bulgapsa was reconstructed in the late 8th century during the Unified Silla period and then significantly renovated in the late Goryeo period when Gakjin Guksa resided there. It is said that at that time, hundreds of monks resided there, and the temple lands stretched for 10 ri (approximately 4 km). Among the existing buildings, cultural heritage assets include the Daeungjeon (Main Hall) and Cheonwangmun (Gate of Four Heavenly Kings), which preserve the architectural style from the mid-Joseon period onwards. In addition, there is a Chinese evergreen chinquapin tree, about 700 years old, said to have been planted by Gakjin Guksa. Bulgapsa offers views of lush mountains and the endangered rare wild plant, Noryang spider lily. It is also a beautiful autumn travel destination where red cluster amaryllis (꽃무릇) form large colonies.