Sudo Temple (Pyeongtaek)

Sudo Temple was founded in 852 (the 14th year of King Munseong of Silla) by Monk Yeomgeo. However, since this is the place where Great Master Wonhyo attained enlightenment after drinking skull water in 661 (the 1st year of King Munmu), it is presumed that a small hermitage existed even before Monk Yeomgeo founded the temple. According to the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms), Great Master Wonhyo, while traveling to Tang China together, stayed overnight in a rock cave near Sudo Temple. Thirsty at night, he groped around and found what seemed to be a gourd dipper with water, which he drank refreshingly. However, when he woke up the next morning and saw that the dipper he had drunk from was a skull, he vomited. Realizing that everything lies in the mind, Great Master Wonhyo gave up his journey to Tang China and left a gatha (enlightenment verse): "When the mind arises, all dharmas arise; when the mind ceases, all dharmas cease." After its founding, Sudo Temple flourished greatly, but due to rampant bandits who plundered heavily and even kidnapped monks, the temple became empty. A landslide also occurred, leading to its abandonment. Since no records of its history from the mid-Joseon period onward have been handed down, the detailed history is unknown. The Daeungjeon (Main Hall) of Sudo Temple was burned down during the Japanese invasions of Korea (Imjin War) and later rebuilt, but the temple was abandoned again in 1911. In the 1960s, Monk Choi Yeong-seok moved the site about 100 meters south from the old temple site and rebuilt the current temple. Currently, Sudo Temple, centered around the Daeungjeon, includes Myeongbujeon (Hall of the Underworld), Sansingak (Mountain Spirit Hall), a temple stay exclusive hall (Yaksajeon), a traditional temple food learning and experience center, a thatched house, and a two-story monks' quarters.

Address: 58 Hoam-gil, Poseung-eup, Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do