Sancheong Jigoksa Temple Site

Jigoksa Temple is said to have been first built by the monk Eungjin of Silla, who named it Guktaesa; it later passed through the stewardship of Seon Master Hyewol of Goryeo and was rebuilt under Seon Master Jingwan. Jigoksa appears to have been one of the Five Mountain Gates, the five major Seon monastic lineages that formed the base from which State Preceptor Daegak Uicheon of Goryeo re-established the Cheontae Order, suggesting that the temple held an important position within Goryeo Buddhism. Records of Jigoksa continued to appear in various geographical texts even after the start of the Joseon dynasty, showing that it still functioned as a central temple. Jigoksa's name is absent from the list of temples that received official approval from the Japanese Government-General of Korea between 1912 and 1913, and the stele and stupa of the monks Seongan and Hongyu were erected in 1845, the second year of King Heonjong of Joseon; from this it is presumed that the temple ceased to function as such in the early 20th century. No buildings from that period survive at Jigoksa Temple Site today, but Buddhist-related remains are scattered throughout the area, including the cornerstones of building sites, retaining walls, a well, stone materials from a pagoda, a stone water basin, more than ten stupas, and a worship stone; related remains and artefacts are also presumed to lie underground.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Sancheong, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물