Paldalsa Temple (Suwon)

Paldalsa Temple is a temple affiliated with the Seonhakwon Foundation, located in Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. It is situated near Paldalmun, the busiest downtown area of Suwon, where tens of thousands of people pass by daily. The city center is always bustling and noisy, but the moment you step through the Iljumun (one-pillar gate) of Paldalsa Temple, all this commotion disappears, and you are greeted by a cozy temple. It is said that Paldalsa Temple was first established here by the nun Yunhong Beopdang from Yujeomsa Temple on Geumgangsan Mountain to propagate Buddhism in the city center. Initially, it was a small temple on a tiny plot of land, but after the current head monk, Beomhaeng, took office, the Iljumun, the main gate of the temple, was built, and the Daeungjeon (main hall) on the upper site was also constructed during this period, giving the temple its current large-scale appearance. In 1986, a bronze bell was erected, and the bell pavilion appears to have been built around the same time. The hanging painting of Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined in the Sansingak (Mountain Spirit Hall) is recorded in an inscription as having been created in 1989, indicating that new Buddhist projects were undertaken at that time, and the portrait of the patriarch in the Josadang (Patriarch Hall) was also produced, suggesting the construction of the Josadang during this period. Paldalsa Temple is located on the slopes of Paldalsan Mountain, where Hwaseong Fortress, built during the reign of King Jeongjo, and its main structures are situated, blending with the Hwaseong cultural assets to enhance the classical charm of Suwon's city center.