Daegwallyeong Seonghwangsa Temple and Mountain Spirit Shrine

This is a site where various deities believed to watch over the Yeongdong region against drought, flood and storms, and to grant good harvests, are enshrined. The Seonghwangdang (village guardian shrine) is said to enshrine State Preceptor Beomil (810–889), who is known to have come from this area. Beomil was a monk of the Unified Silla period who left home to become a monk at the age of fifteen, travelled to China, and attained enlightenment while studying under the masters Jian and Yueom. After returning home he trained younger disciples, and Kings Gyeongmun, Heongang and Jeonggang each in turn wished to honour him as State Preceptor, but he declined every time. According to records, the Mountain Spirit Shrine is linked to General Wang Sun-sik, who, while accompanying King Taejo of Goryeo on a campaign to conquer the army of General Singeom of Later Baekje, was helped to victory when two spirits appeared to him in a dream. It is said that the two have since been venerated as mountain spirits and honoured with rites. In the Gangneung region, to appease the anger of these deities and receive their protection, rites are held every year on the first day of the fourth lunar month, and on the fifteenth day people gather at the Seonghwangsa to hold rites and perform gut, or shamanic ritual plays. On this occasion folk performances such as rites for a good catch, rites for a good harvest, and the Gwanno mask dance drama are held; this Gangneung Danoje festival is designated a National Intangible Heritage.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Pyeongchang, Gangwon

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물