Hyangnimsa Temple

Located on Bibongsan Mountain, this temple was founded in 865, the fifth year of King Gyeongmun of Unified Silla, by State Preceptor Doseon, and was rebuilt in 1669, the 10th year of King Hyeonjong of Joseon, in the form it retains today. Doseon was a monk of the late Silla period renowned as a master of pungsu-jiri, Korean geomancy. According to the Seungpyeongji, compiled by Yi Su-gwang during the reign of King Gwanghaegun, the terrain of this area resembles a bird brooding over its eggs; because its energy was considered too strong, Hyangnimsa Temple was built here to suppress the force of the land. The temple's buildings include Daeungjeon Hall, Samseonggak Hall (Hall of the Three Sages), and a yosachae, the monks' living quarters. Daeungjeon Hall, the temple's central building, enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha and measures three bays across the front and three bays along the side, with a hipped-and-gabled roof forming the shape of the character 八 when viewed from the side. The bracket sets supporting the eaves are in the jusimpo style, set only above the columns. As if to live up to its name, Hyangnimsa (香林寺, "Fragrant Forest Temple"), the surrounding area is planted with jakseol tea, and the scent of tea lingers faintly throughout the temple grounds.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Suncheon, Jeonnam & Gwangju

Designation

Cultural Heritage Material · 문화유산자료