Mitasa (Seongdong)

Located in Oksu-dong, Mitasa is a direct parish temple of Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, situated below the Dalmatjibong Park. Also known as Dumutgaet Seungbang because it is in Dumutgae. Founded in 888, the 2nd year of Queen Jinseong of Silla, Mitasa was established near Geumho-dong by the vow of the nun Daewon. In 1115, two nuns named Bongjeok moved it to the current Oksu-dong, built Geungnakjeon Hall, enshrined Amitabha Buddha, and received the temple name Mitasa from the national preceptor. The Geungnakjeon and Gwaneumjeon halls of Mitasa were built with the donations of the devout Queen Dowager Jo. The three Buddhas of Geungnakjeon, six Buddhist paintings, the Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara painting in Gwaneumjeon, and the seven-story stone pagoda embody the traditional beauty of Buddhist art. Throughout its history, many nuns gathered at Mitasa, each establishing her own hermitage within the temple grounds. Currently, there are seven hermitages: Daeseungam, Chilseonggak, Geumboam, Geumsuam, Jeongsuan, Gwaneumam, and Yongunam, making it a special traditional temple in the heart of Seoul. In 1988, Cheonbuljeon Hall and Mita Kindergarten were built, operating as a place for local residents and Buddhists to gather and as a childcare center for local children.