Anseong Bongeopsa Temple Site

Located in Juksan-ri, Juksan-myeon, at the foot of Bibongsan Mountain, the Bongeopsa Temple Site became known as such only after a bronze incense burner and a bronze gong excavated during land reclamation work in 1966 revealed inscriptions identifying the site as Bongeopsa Temple. The name of this temple is significant because it confirms that the Bongeopsa Temple under Bibongsan Mountain, mentioned in the 'Newly Augmented Survey of the Geography of Korea' (Sinjeung Dongguk Yeoji Seungnam) as housing the portrait of King Taejo of Goryeo, is indeed this very site, thereby proving the temple's importance. Housing King Taejo's portrait means this was a royal portrait temple (jinjeon sawon), a temple established by royal will to enshrine the portrait of a deceased king, honor his achievements, and pray for his afterlife. King Taejo's portrait temples were located at famous temples nationwide (such as Bongeunsa Temple in Gaeseong and Gaetaesa Temple in Nonsan). Although only the site remains today, appearing desolate, it reveals that Bongeopsa Temple was by no means an insignificant temple. The five-story stone pagoda at the Bongeopsa Temple Site well displays the characteristics of early Goryeo Dynasty pagodas and is recognized as having the most outstanding sculptural beauty among pagodas in Gyeonggi Province. Notably, during restoration work in 1968, a reliquary and artifacts were discovered. The standing stone Buddha at the site is said to have been moved from under Jukjusanseong Fortress and erected here. It is a valuable resource for examining the characteristics of the local Buddhist statue style popular in the early Goryeo period, standing upright with the body slightly leaning back and chest thrust forward, appearing very dignified. The three-story stone pagoda at the Bongeopsa Temple Site stands in the middle of a field, with its base stone buried underground, making it difficult to see its complete form. It is said to be associated with National Preceptor Hyeso, but this is uncertain. Villagers seem to have regarded the stone Buddha and the three-story stone pagoda as objects of fertility worship, and along with the nearby Taepyeong Mireuk (Maitreya), traces of fertility worship are found throughout the area. As of July 2023, cultural property investigations for the designation of the Bongeopsa Temple Site as a Historic Site are still actively underway.