Hoeryongsa Temple (Uijeongbu)

Located in the mountains of Sapae Mountain, Hoeryongsa Temple is a temple with legends related to Yi Seong-gye (King Taejo of Joseon), Great Master Muhak, and Yi Bang-won (King Taejong). It is a branch temple of Bongseonsa, the head temple of the 25th Diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and is designated as Gyeonggi-do Traditional Temple No. 7. It is a bhikkhuni (nun) temple. Hoeryongsa is often called Dobongsan Hoeryongsa, but it is precisely located on Sapae Mountain, a peak at one end of Dobongsan, and belongs to Bukhansan National Park. From Hoeryong Station Exit 1, starting at the Hoeryong Exploration Support Center, you can reach it by following the hiking trail.

Hoeryongsa was founded in 681 (the 1st year of King Sinmun of Unified Silla) by Uisang and was named Beopseongsa. Later, in 936 (the 10th year of King Gyeongsun of Unified Silla), National Master Dongjin rebuilt it, and in 1070 (the 24th year of King Munjong of Goryeo), National Master Hyegoe reconstructed it for the third time. The name change from Beopseongsa to Hoeryongsa is due to the connection between Great Master Muhak and King Taejo Yi Seong-gye. The first origin dates back to 1384 (the 10th year of King U of Goryeo), when Great Master Muhak rebuilt the temple. Yi Seong-gye and Muhak performed prayers for the achievement of founding a new dynasty for three years, with Taejo staying at Seokgulam (Stone Cave Hermitage) and Muhak at Muhakgul (Muhak Cave). Later, when Yi Seong-gye was appointed as the Northeast Army Commander and went on an expedition at his request, Muhak remained alone, built a small temple, enshrined a personally crafted Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue, and prayed for his success. After ascending the throne, Yi Seong-gye visited this place and named it Hoeryongsa. In relation to this, Seokgulam, where Yi Seong-gye is said to have stayed, remains as a subsidiary hermitage of Hoeryongsa to this day. It is also known as a place where Kim Gu took refuge before his exile to Shanghai. After liberation, Kim Gu visited Seokgulam and left a handwritten inscription, which is engraved at the entrance. However, the location of Muhakgul, where Muhak is said to have stayed, is currently unknown.