Yeonhwasa (Seoul)

Yeonhwasa is a direct branch temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, located at the foot of Cheonjangsan Mountain in Hoegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul. Hoegi-dong, situated in the heart of eastern Seoul, was named after Hoereung, the tomb of Deposed Queen Yun, the mother of King Yeonsangun, and a small temple built as her votive temple now stands on that site. It was called Yeonhwasa, meaning that the foundation of all sentient beings is like a pure lotus blooming from mud, and later also referred to as Myoryeon. Both names symbolize the purity of the lotus, and it seems to have been named with the meaning of transformation through the lotus, as a place for King Yeonsangun to pray for the repose of his mother Queen Yun and to guide the spirits of those who died unjustly. Currently, Hoereung has been relocated to Seosamneung, and Gyeonghui Girls' Middle and High Schools have been established on its site, so the old appearance cannot be found, but a small temple below the site continues its legacy. Although it has transformed into an urban temple rather than a typical temple surrounded by dense forests, the temple still retains Buddhist paintings created by many court ladies as a votive temple for Deposed Queen Yun and Queen Seonui, allowing traces of its royal votive temple origins to be found.