Daegwangsa Temple (Seongnam)

Located halfway up Mt. Bulgoksan, Daegwangsa Temple is a representative temple of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism in the Seoul metropolitan area, featuring the largest Mireukbojeon (Maitreya Hall) in East Asia and the tallest seated Mireukbul (Maitreya Buddha) statue in Korea. It operates various Buddhist cultural experience programs such as Templestay and temple food experiences, making it a popular open practice and experience space for the general public. Daegwangsa Temple is situated halfway up Mt. Bulgoksan (elevation 335m), which spans across Gumidong, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do and Opo-eup, Gwangju-si. This temple is also a direct branch of Guinsa Temple (the main headquarters of the Cheontae Order) in Danyang, Chungcheongbuk-do, renowned as a sacred site for Avalokiteshvara's spiritual responses. In 2001, the Grand Buddha Hall consecration ceremony and the enshrinement of the Three Buddhas were held, and in 2015, the Daegwangsa Traditional Meditation Training Center was completed, serving as a place for many devotees to practice prayer and meditation. Notably, in 2017, the Mireukbojeon, the largest wooden structure in East Asia with a first-floor area of 661㎡ (about 200 pyeong) and a height of 33m, was completed, along with the consecration of the 17m-tall Mireukdaebul (Great Maitreya Buddha), showcasing its majestic grandeur. With its open natural surroundings and coexistence of traditional Buddhist culture and modern practice spaces, Daegwangsa Temple is a renowned site for practice and healing, leaving a deep impression not only on devout Buddhists but also on general visitors.