Bongseonsa Temple (Namyangju)

Bongseonsa Temple, the main temple of the 25th Diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is a grand temple that faithfully inherits the traditions of both the doctrinal and Seon (Zen) schools. It was founded in 969 CE, the 20th year of King Gwangjong of Goryeo, by National Preceptor Beopin and was originally called Unaksa Temple. Later, in 1469 CE, the first year of King Yejong of Joseon, Queen Jeonghui, the consort of King Sejo, enshrined King Sejo's royal tomb at this mountain, naming it Gwangneung. She then established a temple here as a prayer temple for the blessings of the late king's tomb and renamed it Bongseonsa Temple. Bongseonsa Temple suffered the misfortune of being repeatedly destroyed by fire during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin Waeran), the Manchu invasions (Byeongja Horan), and the Korean War. After Master Nanghye (1539), Master Gyemin (1637) rebuilt it, and it was repaired again in 1749 and 1848, restoring its elegant and dignified appearance as a great temple. However, the Bongseonsa Temple of today is the result of reconstruction efforts that began around 1960. Every summer, Bongseonsa Temple hosts the Bongseonsa Lotus Festival, a Buddhist cultural festival centered on lotus flowers. A vast lotus pond spanning over 1,000 pyeong (approximately 3,306 square meters) is created, offering a truly beautiful scenery when the lotuses are in full bloom. This festival, which began in 2003, is held annually to introduce the serene atmosphere and culture unique to mountain temples to the public and to realize a Buddhist culture of communication and harmony.