Buinsa Temple

Buinsa is a temple located on the southern mid-slope of Palgongsan Mountain, and it is a subsidiary temple of Donghwasa, the head temple of the 9th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The exact period of Buinsa's establishment or its history is not well-known, leading to much debate regarding its founding date and location. The current Buinsa, said to have been founded in the early 7th century, enshrines a portrait of Queen Seondeok of Silla. The fact that the residents of Shinmudong, the temple, and the Gyeongju Kim clan hold an annual memorial ceremony for Queen Seondeok on the full moon of the 3rd lunar month allows one to infer the temple's history. Although the old temple site has now turned into a vineyard, a flag pole support (dangganjiju) remains 200m south of the current temple, and a main hall foundation (geumdangjwa) adjoins it to the south of the Palgongsan loop road, indicating the extent of the temple grounds during its prosperous past. The current Buinsa was rebuilt in 1959 after being burned down during the Korean War. It is known that Buinsa was a very prosperous temple during the Goryeo Dynasty, to the extent that it hosted the only monk's market (seung-sijang) in the country. Records in Jeong Do-jeon's Songhwaamjongsau-unsiseo also state that Buinsa was a grand temple located in Palgongsan Mountain. Buinsa is widely known as the carving site of the Goryeo Tripitaka (Chōjo Daejanggyeong). The Tripitaka, totaling over 10,000 volumes, which began to be carved around the 4th year of King Hyeonjong (1013) and was completed in the 4th year of King Sukjong (1099), was initially enshrined in temples such as Yeowangsa and Gaeguksa, and later moved and enshrined here at Buinsa, where it underwent several printings. Although the exact founding date of Buinsa is unknown, it can be understood that the temple's location was near present-day Yeongcheon, adjacent to Donghwasa on Palgongsan Mountain, and that it was a grand temple and a patriotic temple (hoguk-sachal) that sought to overcome foreign invasions by housing the Goryeo Tripitaka. Additionally, many people visit Buinsa as the starting point for hiking trails leading to the ridges of Palgongsan National Park. From Buinsa, hikers can pass through Imaljae to ascend a traverse course leading to Seobong Peak, Birobong Peak, and Dongbong Peak. Many also enjoy the loop course that returns to Buinsa after passing through Topnalneungseon Ridge and Madangjae Pass. For those wishing to begin serious hiking after passing through the tranquil temple, Buinsa serves as an attractive starting and turning point.