Beopryunsa Temple (Munsusan, Yongin)

Beopryunsa Temple is a bhikkhuni temple established through a revelation of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, serving as a sacred site for prayer and vow-making. It is a branch temple of Sudeoksa Temple, the head temple of the 7th district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, and is designated as a traditional temple of Gyeonggi Province. In 1996, while serving as the abbot of Seunggasa Temple on Samgaksan Mountain in Seoul, Bhikkhuni Sangryun had a vision of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva during early morning meditation. Ten years later, in 2005, she founded Beopryunsa Temple on the slopes of Munsusan Mountain in Yongin City. The terrain is said to resemble a place where lotus flowers bloom beautifully and sages sit in silent meditation, thus called 'Yeonhwa Banji Seonin Danjwahyeong' (Lotus Half-Form, Sage Single-Seated Shape). During the temple's construction, red pine from Baekdusan Mountain and Geumgang pine were used, along with the highest quality granite, Iksan Hwangdeungseok. The temple boasts a somewhat unique, splendid exterior and grand scale that captures attention. The temple grounds include Daeungjeon Hall as the center, along with Geungnakbojeon Hall, Gwaneumjeon Hall, Josajeon Hall, Samseonggak Shrine, Beomjonggak Pavilion, Yongsugak Pavilion, Jeokmukdang Hall, Yosachae (monks' quarters), and Yeonhwaji Pond. Notably, the main Buddha statue in Daeungjeon Hall is a 53-ton Sakyamuni Buddha, three times the weight of the Buddha in Seokguram Grotto, flanked by 33-ton statues of Manjusri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, all made of stone, showcasing exceptional scale and artistry. Beopryunsa Temple operates various Templestay programs, including relaxation, experiential, practice, and children's winter retreats. It also runs a Buddhist college and Yeoyeo Cafe, where visitors can enjoy tea in a peaceful atmosphere.