Yonghwasa Temple (Anseong)

Anseong Yonghwasa Temple is a Buddhist temple located in Beopjeon-ri, Miyang-myeon, Anseong-si. Built according to the topographical characteristics of this area, where narrow fields spread between low and gently sloping mountains, Yonghwasa Temple can be described as a temple in a quiet rural village rather than a mountain temple. The temple was founded in 1902 by Monk Sohyeon, and there is an anecdote related to the monk's dream. After studying Buddhism and returning to his hometown to spread the teachings, the monk dreamed on the first night of a dragon rising to the sky from Jongsan Mountain. However, as the dragon ascended, it kept looking back at the ground from which it had risen, as if it had some lingering attachment. Thus, the monk founded the current Yonghwasa Temple on the site he saw in his dream. The temple buildings include Yonghwajeon Hall and two residential quarters. To the right inside the main hall, a stone standing Buddha and a small rock are erected. Regarding this Buddha statue and rock, there is a legend that when a male and female Maitreya Buddha were about to emerge from the ground, a passerby urinated on the female Maitreya, preventing them from becoming Buddhas. As a result, many people who are unable to conceive visit here to pray. The core of Yonghwasa Temple is the Stone Standing Buddha. A large stone Buddha statue is placed in the front, and a smaller rock is arranged side by side behind it. The large stone Buddha in the front is the male Maitreya, and the relatively smaller rock behind it is the female Maitreya. The facial contours of the Yonghwasa Stone Standing Buddha are distinct, but the features are heavily worn and damaged. While it is difficult to draw an exact image, based on the style of the arms and robes, it is presumed to have been created during the Goryeo Dynasty.